Taylor and Pearson Will Vie for House Seat
State Sen. Brent Taylor and Rep. Justin Pearson are competing to represent Tennessee's ninth congressional district.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections
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State Sen. Brent Taylor and Rep. Justin Pearson will face off in the upcoming November 3, 2026, election for Tennessee's ninth congressional district. The candidates were motivated to enter the race following the Tennessee Legislature's adoption of a new congressional map in May 2026.
Why it matters
The contest centers on differing approaches to local governance and public safety in Memphis, shaped significantly by recently redrawn district boundaries. Voters are weighing legislative records on infrastructure costs and criminal justice policy as they head to the polls.
Official campaign finance filings show Justin Pearson leads with $2.3 million in contributions compared to Brent Taylor's $1.5 million. It remains unknown how late-stage independent expenditure committees will influence final campaign messaging.
The players
Brent Taylor
Brent Taylor is a State Senator and a candidate for the U.S. House seat in Tennessee's ninth district.
Justin Pearson
Justin Pearson is a State Representative and a candidate for the U.S. House seat in Tennessee's ninth district.
Memphis Safe Task Force
The Memphis Safe Task Force is a collaborative partnership between federal, state, and local agencies aimed at addressing crime in the Memphis area.
The details
Brent Taylor has campaigned on policies including legislation to force data center owners to cover electricity upgrade costs, while Justin Pearson has focused on broader community issues. The race occurs amidst the ongoing efforts of the Memphis Safe Task Force, which has reported 13,000 arrests and 2,200 firearm seizures since September 2025.
Timeline
The Memphis Safe Task Force began its operations in September 2025.
The Tennessee Legislature adopted a new congressional map in May 2026.
Early voting in the district begins on October 14, 2026.
Early voting concludes on October 29, 2026.
Election Day is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The race highlights a divide over the Tennessee Energy Freedom Act, which restricts lawsuits against energy providers absent evidence of federal law violations. Opponents argue the law limits accountability for utilities, while proponents claim it provides necessary regulatory stability.
Residents in the ninth district will see their representation change based on the outcome of this race, which will influence future local legislative priorities. Voters should note that election outcomes directly impact regional policies regarding law enforcement funding and public utility oversight.
The takeaway
Voters should review the candidates' specific policy stances on crime and energy regulation before the upcoming election. Identifying polling locations and checking voter registration status now can help streamline the voting process during the early voting period.
What happens next
Early voting is scheduled to occur across the district from October 14, 2026, through October 29, 2026. General election voting will take place on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Find more information about upcoming races in the Elections section of our site.
More information
For official voter information and election resources, visit the Tennessee Secretary of State portal.
Live Poll
Do you trust that multi-agency law enforcement task forces improve safety in your community?
