Nashville officials vote Monday on reinstating one of two expelled Tennessee state Democrats

One of the two Tennessee Democrat lawmakers expelled last week from the state House for breaking chamber rules on protesting could return as early as Monday – after officials from his Nashville district vote to reinstate him.

The Republican-controlled chamber on Thursday expelled Rep. Justin Jones, of Nashville, and Rep. Justine Jones, of Memphis.

The Nashville’s metro council called for a meeting Monday to address the vacancy.

Pearson could be reappointed at a meeting Wednesday of the Shelby County Commission, according to the Associated Press.

Both appear to have support for being reinstated, but whether either will have enough votes remains unclear.

They were expelled after interrupting floor proceeding by using a bullhorn to lead calls for tighter gun-control laws following the shooting last month at the Coventry School, in Nashville, in which three 9-year-old students and three adult teacher were killed. 

A third Democrat House member targeted for expulsion in the protest matter, Rep. Gloria Johnson, of Knoxville, was spared by a one-vote margin.

Republican lawmakers said Johnson had less of a role in the protest. However, she is white and Jones and Pearson are black, which has sparked controversy about the entire matter being related to race. 

Special elections for the seats, which have not yet been set, will take place in the coming months, the wire service also reports.