Following the final vote removing Rep. Justin Pearson, the public viewing gallery exploded into screams of “fascists” and “shame on you.”
When asked by reporters why Johnson was the only lawmaker to evade expulsion, she answered: “it might have to do with the color of our skin.”
Republicans dominate both chambers in the state Legislature, and the GOP reinforced its supermajority in the midterms by picking up more seats in the House. Democrats hold just 23 seats to Republicans’ 75. “Your flexing of false power has awakened a generation of people who will let you know your time is up,” Jones, 27, warned Republicans.
Johnson, in tears, recited the names of the victims killed in the recent shooting at a private school in Nashville. Should all three members be expelled, special elections will be held in the three districts encompassing Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis. Nothing would hold those members back from running again in those races. Johnson suggested in an interview with POLITICO that if she’s voted out, she would try to return to the statehouse if her constituents desired it. The state constitution forbids lawmakers from being removed from office twice for the same offense.
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