Washington, D.C. – Today, Food & Water Action, Oil Change Action, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, GrayPAC, Climate Hawks Vote, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, U.S. Mobilizing for Urgent Sustainable Transformation and Friends of the Earth Action endorsed Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson for U.S. Congress in the state’s 9th District. Pearson’s race is at the center of the fight to protect voting rights, since the GOP-dominated state legislature redrew his district to dilute the power of Black voters in the middle of his campaign just days after the Supreme Court ruled on Louisiana vs. Callais. 

Pearson began his work in politics by founding Memphis Community Against Pollution, a grassroots environmental justice organization that defeated a proposal to build an oil pipeline designed to carry up to 420,000 barrels of oil a day through predominately Black Memphis neighborhoods. If Pearson and the community hadn’t stopped the project, the Byhalia Pipeline would have threatened residents’ access to clean drinking water and worsened the climate crisis. 

As a state representative, Pearson continues to fight polluting fossil fuel projects in his historically Black district, including Elon Musk’s X AI data center. Just three miles from Pearson’s home, it’s the world’s largest AI supercomputer data center, with 35 gas turbines spewing cancer-causing chemicals and climate pollution. 

Pearson rose to national prominence in 2023, when Tennessee’s Republican lawmakers expelled him from office for demanding stronger gun safety protections in the wake of a mass shooting. Afterwards, he was reinstated and won a special election for his seat with 94% of the vote in his district. His campaign for Congress has been endorsed by progressive leaders including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Working Families Party, and Indivisible. 

Thomas Meyer, deputy political director at Food & Water Action, said: “Justin Pearson is the kind of leader that is sorely needed in Washington. He is a genuine champion for working families, for civil rights, and for environmental justice. Justin’s principled stand against corporate polluters, from oil & gas pipelines to Elon Musk’s data center, shows that he isn’t afraid to take on difficult and important fights. Food & Water Action and our members in Tennessee are excited to endorse Justin and help send him to Congress.” 

Allie Rosenbluth, campaign manager at Oil Change Action, said: “We are proud to endorse Justin Pearson, who has spent his career fighting for racial, economic, and environmental justice. Justin isn’t taking fossil fuel money or corporate PAC money. He doesn’t back down in the face of entrenched interests’ efforts to suppress working people’s political power, like Republicans’ racist redrawing of his district. If elected, Justin would be one of Congress’s strongest voices protecting communities from Big Oil’s pollution and climate disasters, while championing a just transition to affordable renewable energy.”  – 

Brett Hartl, national political director at the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, said: “Tennesseans deserve a champion who will stand up to corporate polluters and fight to ensure every community has a voice in shaping its future. Justin Pearson understands that strong environmental protections depend on a healthy democracy where people, not powerful special interests, hold the power to protect their communities and natural heritage. We’re proud to endorse him for Congress.” 

Mike Johnson, democracy campaigns manager at GrayPAC, said: “Justin Pearson reflects the values that have long animated the Volunteer State: dedication to service and the ability to reach communities and bring them together. His vision of clean water, safe air, and stewardship for Tennessee’s environment will be a clear voice in Congress.” 

RL Miller, political director at Climate Hawks Vote, said: “The way we fight back against Republican gerrymandering of states like Tennessee is by electing voting rights champions. The way we fight back against polluters is by electing environmental justice champions. Justin Pearson stands for everything that matters in American politics right now, and Climate Hawks Vote is thrilled to endorse him.” 

Dr. Ife Kilimanjaro, director at U.S. Mobilizing for Urgent Sustainable Transformation (USMUST), said: “At USMUST, we believe that real political power belongs to the people, and we are incredibly proud to endorse Justin Pearson for Congress. Justin has shown us time and time again what deeply rooted, courageous leadership looks like, whether he is organizing alongside Memphis families to stop toxic fossil fuel pipelines or standing on the frontlines to defend our sacred right to vote. He understands in his bones that environmental justice and a healthy democracy are inseparable.” 

Sarah Lane, executive director at Jane Fonda Climate PAC, said: “Tennessee’s 9th congressional district needs a courageous voice for climate and democracy now more than ever. Justin Pearson is a proven fighter who stands up for his community. While corporate interests continue to treat this district as a “sacrifice zone,” we need leaders like Justin to hold them accountable.” 

Erich Pica, president at Friends of the Earth Action, said: “In Congress, Justin Pearson will serve Tennessee’s 9^th Congressional District with integrity, devotion, and hope, at a time when this country needs all three. He will fight to build the green economy, securing not only jobs but also a livable world for our children and grandchildren. He will work to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare, affordable housing, and clean air and clean water. He will lead on the climate crisis while others barely talk about it. We are proud to endorse Pearson for Congress, and we encourage voters to support him.”