The Centrist Independent Voter Political Action Committee endorses State Senator London Lamar in the August 6 Democratic primary for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District.
This is not an endorsement based on complete agreement with Lamar’s policy agenda. She is considerably more progressive than CIVPAC on several economic issues. She supports universal health care, universal childcare, a higher minimum wage and a moratorium on additional data centers—positions she largely shares with her principal opponent, State Representative Justin Pearson.
The important difference is not primarily ideology. It is how the candidates understand political leadership and how they propose to accomplish their goals.
A Record of Turning Principles into Results
Lamar has served in both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly and now chairs the Senate Democratic Caucus. She has learned how to advance Democratic priorities in a legislature overwhelmingly controlled by Republicans.
That is not capitulation. It is governing.
Lamar has passed 23 pieces of legislation, including measures concerning maternal mental-health education and certified nurse-midwives. She also helped secure funding for a TennCare pilot program covering doula services. The Rural Health Association of Tennessee named her its 2022 Legislator of the Year.
Her emphasis on maternal health is not an abstract political issue. Lamar lost a pregnancy at eight months and later saw a cousin die from complications of childbirth. She has used those experiences to develop legislation capable of attracting support across party lines.
Congress needs more representatives who can translate personal conviction into workable law.
Activism and Legislation Are Not the Same Job
Justin Pearson has not passed a bill of his own during his time in the Tennessee House. He argues, with some justification, that Republican leaders have punished him for challenging them and that organizing can produce change outside the legislative process. Nevertheless, members of Congress must do more than mobilize supporters and confront opponents. They must build coalitions, negotiate legislative language and identify the compromises necessary to turn proposals into law.
Lamar has demonstrated that ability. Pearson has not yet done so.
A Choice About the Democratic Party’s Direction
The contrast is reinforced by the candidates’ political support.
Pearson has become a national candidate of the progressive left. His supporters include Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Summer Lee and the Working Families Party.
Lamar has been endorsed by outgoing Representative Steve Cohen, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, former Representative Harold Ford Sr., former Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and State Senator Raumesh Akbari. That coalition reflects deep experience in Memphis and Tennessee government rather than the priorities of a national political faction.
An endorsement should never be decided merely by comparing lists of prominent supporters. In this case, however, the lists accurately illustrate the choice. Pearson represents the confrontational activist wing of the national Democratic Party. Lamar represents a broader Democratic tradition that seeks progressive results while recognizing the need to persuade voters and work through institutions.
A Radically Changed District
Republican legislators have radically redrawn Tennessee’s 9th District. It now reaches from heavily Democratic Memphis through more conservative rural counties and toward the Nashville suburbs. The new district is whiter, more Republican and substantially more difficult for any Democrat to win than the district Steve Cohen represented.
The Cook Political Report rates it solidly Republican, although it may still be Tennessee’s most competitive congressional district.
That reality matters.
A Democratic nominee who speaks primarily to the most progressive voters in Memphis will have little chance of building a district-wide coalition. Lamar has campaigned throughout the district and argues that Democrats must talk less about issues that divide their existing constituencies and more about affordability, employment, health care and education.
That is not a call to abandon principle. It is recognition that political parties cannot govern unless they persuade people who do not already agree with them.
Lamar’s less confrontational approach and her experience working with conservative legislators give her a better chance of reaching rural and moderate voters. Even if the district remains extremely difficult, Democrats should nominate the person best positioned to compete throughout it.
Our Reservations
CIVPAC disagrees with portions of Lamar’s platform.
Universal government health care is not our preferred model. We favor universal coverage through regulated private insurance rather than replacing the existing system with a single government program.
We are also wary of broad moratoriums on data centers. These facilities can create legitimate environmental, water and energy problems, and communities should not subsidize them indiscriminately. But a blanket prohibition can prevent useful investment rather than establishing appropriate prices, environmental safeguards and infrastructure requirements.
Similarly, we would like more detail about the cost, design and eligibility rules for Lamar’s childcare and economic proposals.
These are meaningful policy disagreements. They do not outweigh the central distinction in this primary.
The Better Representative
Justin Pearson has already demonstrated that he can inspire a movement. London Lamar has demonstrated that she can govern.
The House of Representatives has no shortage of members who attract attention, deliver impassioned speeches and appeal to their party’s most committed activists. It has far fewer members who can work in an adverse political environment, preserve their principles and still produce results.
Lamar combines a progressive commitment with practical legislative experience, respect for institutions and a broader understanding of the voters Democrats must reach.
CIVPAC endorses London Lamar in the Democratic primary for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District.