Rep. Justin Pearson to headline Future 901 fundraiser June 22; Group aims to send more progressive candidates to state legislature
Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson will headline a fundraiser for Future901, a nonprofit that supports and fundraises for progressive candidates, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on June 22 at the home of Lynn and Ned Nelson.
“Extremists and special interests have a stranglehold on the Tennessee Legislature, so common-sense legislation that enjoys popular support can’t even get out of committee in Nashville,” said Future901 co-founder Robert Donati. “Children are living in fear that they might be murdered in their classroom or church. We must elect leaders who will change this.”
Donati said Rep. Pearson has shown supporters and detractors alike the power of grassroots organizing in campaigning for election to office and in the ongoing campaign of ideas around common-sense gun reform and other progressive issues.
“Justin and the Tennessee Three are great, but they need allies if they’re going to succeed in effecting change, long-term,” Donati said. “We can change our state and our country, but it will take persistence and resources.”
State Rep. Dwayne Thompson said that he welcomes the help in electing progressive allies.
“When I won in 2016, there were no West Tennessee organizations like Future901,” Rep. Thompson said. “They’ve supported me in my subsequent elections, and I look forward to continuing to support them as they work to flip Republican seats throughout West Tennessee.”
Donati said Future 901 is working hard to make the most of State Republicans’ recent overreach, in which the GOP majority voted to expel Rep. Pearson and Rep. Justin Jones from the legislature.
“Speaker Cameron Sexton and the Tennessee GOP have made clear that the Tennessee legislature answers only to its party’s extremists and big-money donors,” Donati said. “This will only change when the Tennessee GOP starts losing power. We have to send new voices to the legislature, and with more support, Future901 can do more to make that happen.”
Suggested contribution for the event is $100. For information on sponsorship or to RSVP, call Dave Cambron at 901-830-3283 or email davidpcambron@gmail.com.
