Through Sharelle B. McNair
January 26, 2026
Pearson is one of several new black leaders running in midterm elections on a hot ticket, seeking to take power from incumbent leaders who have sometimes been stuck in their elected seats for decades.
Tennessee’s Democratic state representative Justin Pearson is known for speaking his mind about the current state of politics, both at home and across the country. Yet he goes one step further and touches on the need for change that requires new faces – even if that means challenging the members who paved the way.
Pearson is one of several new black leaders running in midterm elections on a hot ticket, seeking to take power from incumbent leaders who have sometimes been stuck in their elected seats for decades.
And in the second wave of the Trump administration’s controversial policies, Pearson says are time for some to step aside. “This is a new moment that requires different ideas, new energy and new perspectives, and you cannot be part of the system for 40 years and also be the one to change it for the next 40 years,” the 31-year-old said. Politics.
“You did the best you could, and it’s time for other people to do the best they can for the present and the future.”
As Pearson launched a campaign to challenge incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen, 76, the ideology has trickled down to areas that have served Black communities and beyond — the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
Since its founding in 1971, the group has grown significantly, with a current roster of 62 members and an average membership age of 60. While 60 years old should not be considered “old” or excessive, Pearson believes that a sense of adjustment is necessary to continue, especially for the betterment of the black population.
“The Democratic Party must adapt to survive. That work starts now,” the once-ousted leader said.
“Black people in this country are still suffering disproportionately in every category, and without leadership to raise those concerns, those concerns, those issues in a meaningful way, we will never see that change.”
Some of the The oldest Democrats in the House of Representatives are members of the CBC, such as 85-year-old Rep. Jim Clyburn, who has represented South Carolina for more than 30 years. and California Rep. Maxine Waters, 87, who was first elected in 1990. Both are planning re-election bids. They are candidates like Pearson and former Democratic Sens. senior staffer Evan Turnage. Chuck Schumer (NY) and Elizabeth Warren (MA), who launched a primary campaign to take over from Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), 77, who expressed their concerns.
“When I was born in 1992, this was the poorest county in the poorest state in the country,” says 33-year-old Turnage.
“Congressman Thompson was elected in 1993, and now I’m 33, and this is still the poorest district in the poorest state in the country.”
He agreed with Pearson’s sentiments about the need for fresh and new leadership, saying it is time for long-serving members who have “failed” younger generations. “Just because you’ve been in the area for 30 years doesn’t mean you’re delivering results for the district, it doesn’t mean you’re delivering results for your constituents,” Turnage said.
The wave of new black-faced leadership seems endless, from the West to the East Coast. In Georgia, Everton Blair, who made history as the youngest, first Black and first openly gay person elected to the Gwinnett County Board of Education, is eyeing the state’s 13th District congressional seat.
According to ABC NewsBlair launched a primary bid against incumbent Rep. David Scott, who has held the seat for 22 years.
His goal is to serve as an “agile and present” leader, something the 32-year-old no longer sees in Scott. “I’m running because District 13, my home base, deserves better leadership. And I think we learned a crucial lesson in November. We must immediately respond to the chaos of this administration with stronger, more competent, and more powerful leadership,” Blair said.
“When someone has held elected office for more than 50 years, there comes a point when you have to wonder when you are actually ready to prepare the next generation of leadership.”
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