The two Democratic lawmakers who were expelled from the Tennessee House over gun violence protests won their primary elections on Thursday (June 15), putting them one step closer to officially regaining their seats back.

According to NBC News, Justin Jones secured the Democratic primary in Nashville over challenger David Page, while Justin J. Pearson, who ran unopposed, won in Memphis.

The primary wins come after Tennessee House Republicans voted to expel Jones and Pearson, who are Black, for protesting gun violence on the chamber floor in the wake of a March shooting at Nashville’s The Covenant School. A third Democrat, Rep. Gloria Johnson, who is white, also joined the protest but wasn’t expelled from the House.

Days after their expulsions, local government bodies voted to reinstate Jones and Pearson to their seats. However, under state law, both were required to run for their old seats in primary and general elections.

Following Thursday’s wins, Pearson will face independent challenger Jeff Johnston and Jones will face Republican Laura Nelson in general elections, which are scheduled for August 3.

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