Justin Jones wins Democratic primary bid to keep House seat after expulsion

Expelled and reappointed state Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, won a special primary election on Thursday earning 1,508 votes, according to preliminary results reported by the Davidson County Election Commission.

His Republican opponent in the general election, Laura Nelson, also won her primary election, earning 248 votes.

Neither had primary opposition. Only 1,767 District 52 voters cast ballots on Thursday, with all precincts reporting. The general election in both races is Aug. 3.

Republicans expelled Jones, along with Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, from the House in April following a gun control protest that brought House proceedings to a halt. Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, survived expulsion by one vote.

The District 52 primary cost Metro Nashville about $70,000, which the state will reimburse, according to Davidson County Coordinator of Elections Jeff Roberts. 

Pearson, whose special primary was also Thursday, handily defeated his primary opponent, David Page, earning 2,209 votes to Page's 125 votes, with all precincts reporting, according to the Shelby County Election Commission. Pearson will face independent candidate Jeff Johnston in August. 

Reach reporter Vivian Jones at [email protected].