An incumbent Democrat we’re challenging just compared our primary challenge to Pearl Harbor.
Yes, John, you read that right. And it should tell you everything you need to know about why we’re in this race.
We’ve got the full details for you. But if you’re ready now to keep triggering complacent Democrats in Congress and elect new progressive leaders who will actually fight for their community, please chip in $5 or more now.
Here’s the deal:
We endorsed Justin J. Pearson, a young and bold progressive leader, in Tennessee’s 9th District because he is exactly the kind of leader we were founded to support.
You might remember him as a part of the “Tennessee Three.” He demanded action after a school shooting, was expelled for speaking out, and then re-elected with 94% of the vote. He’s also organized to beat two billion-dollar oil companies to protect Memphis’ water and consistently protected his community from corporate greed.
The incumbent in the district, Congressman Steve Cohen is the opposite — someone who may have started with good intentions but, after nearly 20 years in Washington, simply isn’t meeting the moment for the people he represents.
So Justin is challenging him. And we’re proud to back him.
Cohen isn’t taking it well. In a recent interview, he said — and this is a direct quote:
“He could’ve waited two years, he could’ve waited four years. He could’ve talked to me, he interned for me in high school, and he never talked to me about running for office. It was kinda like uh… uh…Pearl Harbor."
If that sounds insane to you, it’s because it genuinely is. Comparing a young leader running for office to a surprise attack that killed over 2,000 Americans … We've heard some wild stuff from pissed off incumbents, but that’s a new one!
The saddest part? His response isn’t that far off from the current state of the Democratic Party. There is a deeply ingrained culture where incumbents in Congress feel entitled to their seats — not to their constituents’ needs.
And telling Justin to “wait his turn” for another two, another four years? Classic. Members of Congress say that and then keep running again and again.
To them, a young person saying my community can’t wait anymore is an attack. But families in Memphis going years without real results? That’s apparently “normal.”
We’re here to remind people like Steve Cohen:
Your seat doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to your constituents. And if you want to avoid a primary (which is apparently your own personal Pearl Harbor), maybe start by just trying to be a better Congressman and being in touch with your community!
Power isn’t given, John — it’s taken. And it’s time we take it back from do-nothing incumbents and put it in the hands of leaders like Justin who will actually fight for their communities.
If you’re ready to help us take power, chip in any amount today:
Let’s keep pissing off corporate Democrats in Congress together.
— Leaders We Deserve
