Olean McCaskill talks with Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson in Olean’s restaurant in Tallahassee on Sept. 6, 2024. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)
TALLAHASSEE – A Tennessee state House member once expelled from that body flew to Florida to advocate against authoritarianism and stump for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz.
Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson, one of the “Tennessee Three” expelled for protesting on the House floor against gun violence, made a stop in Tallahassee Friday, a place he believes is “integral to the future of Democratic politics.”
“Absolutely, Florida is in play. I think Vice President Harris has increased the level of momentum and energy in this state in a way that we have not seen in quite a long time,” Pearson said. Especially the youth vote, he said, “is going to help swing this election.”
Pearson dined at Olean’s Cafe, a venerable soul food restaurant that also hosted then-Vice President Joe Biden in 2016 while in town for a fundraiser.