{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Justin Jones","chatgptsummary":"Justin Jones brings legislative experience as a Tennessee House member for District 52 and background as an activist and community organizer relevant to constituent engagement. His biography documents a 2023 expulsion from the chamber following a floor protest, later reversed by a unanimous council vote. Bio does not indicate prior experience in drafting statute or building cross-partisan coalitions.","notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nJustin Jones is a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives representing District 52, having assumed office on April 10, 2023, following his reinstatement by the Metropolitan Nashville Council after a prior expulsion from the chamber [1][6][9]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nJones is seeking re-election to represent District 52 in the 2026 general election [1]. He is listed on the ballot for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][5]. The general election for this seat is set for November 5, 2026 [7].\n\n## Background and education\n\nJustin Bautista-Jones was born on August 25, 1995, in Oakland, California [6]. He grew up in the East Bay region of California, where he attended public school and learned early on the importance of advocating for equality [8]. His mother, Christine, raised him and his sister while pursuing her nursing degree, and she is now a registered nurse active in the California chapter of National Nurses United [8]. He is the grandson of Black, working-class grandparents from the South Side of Chicago who moved from West Tennessee during the Great Migration, as well as Filipino immigrants who migrated to California during World War II [8].\n\nJones attended Fisk University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree [6]. He also pursued further education at Vanderbilt University [6].\n\n## Career\n\nJustin Jones was born in Oakland, California, and grew up in the East Bay region [8]. He attended public school there, where he learned the importance of speaking up for equality at an early age [8]. His mother, Christine, raised him and his sister while attending nursing school; she is now a registered nurse active in the California chapter of National Nurses United [8]. Jones is the grandson of Black, working-class grandparents from the South Side of Chicago who moved from West Tennessee during the Great Migration, as well as Filipino immigrants who migrated to California during World War II [8].\n\nJones earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fisk University and attended Vanderbilt University [6]. Professionally, he identifies as an activist, organizer, legislator, representative, minister, community leader, environmentalist, and gun violence prevention advocate [7]. He describes himself as deeply committed to justice work and collective liberation, drawing on a tradition of resistance from his familial and movement ancestors [7].\n\n## Office history\n\nJustin Jones served in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 52 during two separate periods. He was first elected to the seat in the general election on November 8, 2022 [2]. He assumed office on January 10, 2023, succeeding Mike Stewart [6]. His tenure in this initial term ended on April 6, 2023, when the Tennessee House of Representatives voted 72-25 to expel him via House resolution 65 [1].\n\nFollowing his expulsion, Jones was reinstated to the same seat after the Metropolitan Nashville Council voted unanimously to return him to the state Legislature on April 10, 2023 [5]. He was sworn in again on that date, succeeding himself in the role [6]. His current term is scheduled to end on November 3, 2026 [1].\n\nJones is currently seeking re-election to represent District 52. He is listed on the ballot for the Democratic primary election scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nJustin Jones assumed office in the Tennessee House of Representatives for District 52 on April 10, 2023, following a unanimous vote by the Metropolitan Nashville Council to reinstate him after he had been expelled from the chamber [1][3][6]. His initial tenure began earlier that year on January 10, 2023, when he was elected in the November 2022 general election [2][6]. During his first few weeks in office, Jones participated in a protest regarding gun violence on the House floor, which led to a vote by the Tennessee House of Representatives on April 6, 2023, to expel him via House Resolution 65 with a 72-25 vote [1][5].\n\nJones is identified as an activist, organizer, and gun violence prevention advocate who describes himself as deeply committed to justice work and collective liberation [7]. He has served as a minister and community leader within his district [7]. While specific committee assignments are not detailed in the provided sources, his legislative focus has been characterized by his role as a representative for District 52, which contained an average of 69,868 residents following the 2020 Census [4].\n\nJones is currently seeking re-election to represent District 52 in the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1][5]. His campaign materials emphasize building a movement for the South and highlight his background as an environmentalist and his familial ties to the Great Migration and civil rights traditions [7][8].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nOn April 6, 2023, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted 72-25 to expel Jones from his seat following a protest on the chamber floor regarding gun violence legislation [1][10][11]. The expulsion was part of a broader action against three Democratic representatives who had joined demonstrators in the public galleries and led chants from the well of the House three days after the Nashville school shooting [10][12]. Jones described the vote as \"unconstitutional\" and a \"lynching of democracy,\" while also confronting a Republican lawmaker who he accused of essentially calling him an \"uppity negro\" during the proceedings [15][17].\n\nJones was reinstated to office on April 10, 2023, after the Nashville Metropolitan Council voted unanimously to return him to the Legislature [1][9][16]. The council suspended its rules to allow for an immediate vote, and Jones was sworn in on the steps of the state Capitol shortly thereafter [9]. He served as an interim legislator until a special election could be called, noting that the vote demonstrated \"people power\" over the decision of House Speaker Cameron Sexton [13].\n\nJones has maintained ongoing political tensions with Republican leadership in the Tennessee House. Nearly a year after his expulsion and reinstatement, reports indicated that Jones remained at odds with GOP lawmakers during the 2024 legislative session, with some members attempting to relitigate the expulsion fight [14].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nJustin Jones describes himself as an activist, organizer, legislator, representative, minister, community leader, and environmentalist [7]. He states that his work is grounded in a tradition of resistance from his familial and movement ancestors [7]. Jones was born in Oakland, California, and grew up in the East Bay [8]. His mother, Christine, raised him and his sister while attending nursing school, and she is now a registered nurse active in the California chapter of National Nurses United [8]. He is the grandson of Black, working-class grandparents from the South Side of Chicago who moved from West Tennessee during the Great Migration, as well as Filipino immigrants who migrated to California during World War II [8].\n\nJones attended public school in the East Bay and later earned a Bachelor of Arts from Fisk University and studied at Vanderbilt University [6]. Specific details regarding his personal business interests, ownership stakes, sales of businesses, or sources of family wealth are not provided in the available records [1][2][5][6].\n\n## Family\n\nJustin Jones was born in Oakland, California, and grew up in the East Bay [8]. He is the grandson of Black, working-class grandparents from the South Side of Chicago who moved from West Tennessee during the Great Migration, as well as Filipino immigrants who migrated to California during World War II [8]. His mother, Christine, raised him and his sister while attending nursing school and is now a registered nurse active in the California chapter of National Nurses United [8].\n\nJones self-describes himself as deeply embedded in a tradition of resistance grounded by his familial and movement ancestors [7]. There are no publicly notable records of his spouse or children in the provided sources, nor are there indications that any family members hold political office.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Justin Jones (Tennessee state representative) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Justin_Jones_(Tennessee_state_representative))\n[2] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 52 candidate surveys, 2022 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_52_candidate_surveys,_2022)\n[3] (source #7 not in master list)\n[4] [Tennessee House of Representatives District 52 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_District_52)\n[5] [Justin Jones (Tennessee state representative) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Justin_Jones_(Tennessee_House_candidate))\n[6] [Justin Jones (Tennessee politician) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Jones_(Tennessee_politician))\n[7] [Vote Democrat Justin Jones on November 5](https://votejustinjones.com/)\n[8] [Meet Justin - Justin Jones](https://votejustinjones.com/meet-justin/)\n[9] [Ousted Tennessee legislator Justin Jones reinstated after Nashville council vote](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/nashville-council-expected-consider-reinstating-ousted-former-rep-just-rcna78924)\n[10] [2023 Tennessee House of Representatives expulsions - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Tennessee_House_of_Representatives_expulsions)\n[11] [GOP lawmakers in Tennessee expel two Democrats over mass shooting protest - CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tennessee-house-remove-justin-jones-nashville-shooting-protest/)\n[12] [This is how lawmakers can be expelled from the Tennessee General Assembly](https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/heres-how-a-lawmaker-can-be-expelled-from-the-tn-house/)\n[13] [Justin Jones vote: Nashville Metro Council votes to reinstate expelled lawmaker - ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/US/nashville-metro-council-vote-reinstating-expelled-lawmaker-justin/story?id=98471072)\n[14] [Justin Jones and the Tennessee House of Representatives remain at odds in new legislative session | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/13/us/tennessee-house-justin-jones)\n[15] [Ousted Tennessee House Democrat Justin Jones speaks about 'unconstitutional' expulsion - ABC News](https://abcnews.com/Politics/ousted-tennessee-house-democrat-justin-jones-speaks-unconstitutional/story?id=98453261)\n[16] [Nashville council votes to reinstate expelled Democrat Justin Jones | Nashville | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/10/nashville-council-votes-reinstate-expelled-democrat-justin-jones)\n[17] [WATCH: Stunning Moment Justin Jones Confronts GOP Rep on TN House Floor For \u2018Essentially Saying Justin Is An Uppity Negro\u2019](https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/watch-stunning-moment-justin-jones-confronts-gop-rep-on-tn-house-floor-for-essentially-saying-justin-is-an-uppity-negro/)","firstname":"Justin","lastname":"Jones","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"1G5IDntUMx"},"token":"justin_jones"},{"candidatename":"Martez Coleman","chatgptsummary":"Coleman's biography shows current work as a mortgage sales manager and prior candidacy for Metro Nashville Council, indicating some constituent engagement but no legislative drafting or coalition-building experience. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate legislative craft or persuasion experience in the state legislature.","notes":null,"party":"I","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMartez Coleman is an independent candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 52, on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 general election, following the August 6, 2026 primary [1].\n\n## Career\n\nColeman works in mortgage banking as a Sales Manager at Novus Home Mortgage [2][3].\n\n## Office history\n\nColeman was a candidate for the Metro Nashville Council District 8 seat in 2023; his own candidate questionnaire for that race listed his previous candidacies/offices held as \"None\" [2]. He is now running as an independent candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 52 [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Martez Coleman - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Martez_Coleman)\n[2] [District 8: Martez Coleman - Nashville Banner](https://nashvillebanner.com/2023/06/28/district-8-martez-coleman/)\n[3] [Martez Coleman - Loan Officers - Novus Home Mortgage](https://www.novushomemortgage.com/loan-officer/martez-coleman/)","firstname":"Martez","lastname":"Coleman","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"IZsklvSTIZ"},"token":"martez_coleman"},{"candidatename":"Michele Vetter","chatgptsummary":"Vetter's biography identifies her career experience as an advocate, which may support legislative craft and persuasion skills for the State Representative role. The record contains no documented controversies or disciplinary actions. Bio does not indicate prior elected office experience or specific district economic-development experience.","notes":null,"party":"R","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nMichele Vetter is a Republican candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 52, on the Republican primary ballot for August 6, 2026; the general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026 [1].\n\n## Career\n\nPer her Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, Vetter's career experience includes work as an advocate [1].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Michele Vetter - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michele_Vetter)","firstname":"Michele","lastname":"Vetter","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"aD7PWYuukD"},"token":"michele_vetter"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"052","districtgroup":"state_house","districtgroupname":"State House","districtname":"District 52","job_type":"state_representative","o.office":"state_house_052","office":"state_house_052","officedescription":"The Tennessee House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the state legislature, with 99 members elected from single-member districts to two-year terms. Representatives pass state laws, originate revenue bills, approve the state budget, and \u2014 together with the Senate \u2014 confirm gubernatorial appointments and propose constitutional amendments. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, U.S. citizens, Tennessee residents for at least three years, and district residents for at least one year.","officequalities":"- **Integrity** \u2014 Acts in the interest of constituents and the public good rather than for personal gain, and remains independent of undue influence from donors, lobbyists, and party leadership.\n- **Understanding of the constituency** \u2014 Grasps both the economic-development needs of the district and the day-to-day concerns of individual residents \u2014 safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure.\n- **Persuasion** \u2014 Engages, listens to, and persuades both fellow legislators and constituents. Can change minds and explain votes honestly.\n- **Legislative craft** \u2014 Reads, drafts, and amends statute with care. Understands how specific bill language translates to outcomes, and knows the body of law being modified.\n- **Coalition-building** \u2014 Finds common ground across partisan and factional lines, brokers compromises that hold, and forms working majorities even when consensus is hard to reach.","officeterm":2,"officetitle":"State Representative District 52","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"TN State House District 52"}