In Tennessee, Democratic state Representative Justin Pearson announced Wednesday he will launch a primary challenge against Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Memphis. Pearson was a member of the “Tennessee Three” who were expelled by Republicans from the Tennessee General Assembly after participating in a gun control protest on the state House floor.

Rep. Justin J. Pearson: “We’ve got a gun violence epidemic that is quite literally taking the lives of our loved ones away. The number one killer of children in our communities is not cancer. It is not car accidents. It’s bullets. And if people want to do something about crime, pass some gun safety laws. If people want to do something about crime, pass violence intervention programs and money and resources for our beloved and beautiful communities. Don’t occupy us. Eradicate poverty.”