These are the candidates running in Tennessee's House District 86 primary

Jeff Johnston, an Independent candidate, will in November meet the winner of the Aug. 1 Democratic primary to vie for the Tennessee House District 86 seat. No Republican candidate qualified for the ballot. The current incumbent Democrat, Rep. Justin J Pearson, faces one challenger.

The district stretches from the northern edge of Shelby County, down along the Mississippi River, to the Mississippi border.

Democratic primary

David Page

Page has more than two decades of experience as a teacher, formerly was president of the Westwood Neighborhood Association and worked with the late Rep. Barbara Cooper, who held the District 86 seat before her death. Page said increasing funding for public schools and reducing crime, particularly among kids and teens, were key priorities for his campaign.

Justin J Pearson (incumbent)

Pearson first won the District 86 seat in a special election 18 months ago but was subsequently expelled by House Republicans for protesting gun violence on the House floor. He was later reappointed to the seat by Shelby County officials and then won another special election. He has a background in community activism and is a co-founder of the nonprofit Memphis Community Against the Pollution.