Fil-Am lawmakers Marvin Lim (left) wins another term in Georgia, while Justin Jones secures reelection in Tennessee. FILE PHOTOS
Filipino American lawmakers Marvin Lim of Georgia and Justin Jones of Tennessee won reelection in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, securing another term in their respective state legislatures and extending Filipino American representation in Southern state politics.
Both Democrats retained their seats in the state House of Representatives, with Lim running unopposed in Georgia’s 98th House District and Jones defeating two challengers in Tennessee’s 52nd House District.
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Their victories add to the list of Filipino American candidates who won legislative races across the United States in the 2026 midterms.
Marvin Lim wins another term in Georgia
FILE PHOTO
State Rep. Marvin Lim secured another term representing Georgia’s 98th House District, which includes part of Gwinnett County in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
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Lim ran unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election after winning a contested Democratic primary in May.
In the May 19 primary, Lim defeated fellow Democrat Brenda Lopez Romero with 1,739 votes, or 61.4%, against Romero’s 1,094 votes, or 38.6%, according to certified results reported by Ballotpedia.
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Lim was first elected to the Georgia House in 2020 and began serving in 2021. His re-election continues a legislative career shaped by his experience as an immigrant, attorney and advocate.
Born in the Philippines, Lim moved to the United States at age 7. He graduated magna cum laude from Emory University and earned his law degree from Yale Law School.
Before entering elected office, he worked with Catholic Charities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
His professional background includes work involving civil rights, immigration and gun violence prevention.
According to his campaign website, Lim has introduced legislation addressing housing, language access, zoning and local government issues. He has also advocated for infrastructure improvements and public services in Gwinnett County.
Justin Jones wins reelection in Tennessee
FILE PHOTO
In Tennessee, Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones won reelection in House District 52, which covers portions of Nashville in Davidson County.
Jones received 11,922 votes, or 79.84%, defeating Republican Michele Vetter, who received 2,763 votes, or 18.5%, and independent Martez Coleman, who garnered 247 votes, or 1.66%, according to election results reported Wednesday.
Jones, who has Filipino and African American ancestry, was born in Oakland, California. His Filipino grandparents immigrated to California during the World War II and Vietnam War eras, according to his official campaign biography.
Raised by his mother, Christine, Jones grew up in the East Bay, where he became involved in student activism and community organizing.
His campaign biography credits his grandmothers, including his Filipino grandmother whom he calls “Lola,” with helping shape his commitment to community service, environmental protection and social justice.
Jones graduated from Fisk University in Nashville with a bachelor’s degree in political science and pursued graduate theological studies at Vanderbilt University.
He first won election to the Tennessee House in 2022 and gained national attention in April 2023 when the Republican-controlled chamber expelled him and fellow Democrat Justin Pearson following their participation in a gun control protest after the deadly Covenant School shooting in Nashville.
Republican lawmakers accused the legislators of violating House rules and disrupting legislative proceedings. The expulsions drew national criticism and sparked a debate over legislative discipline, political protest and representation.
On April 10, 2023, the Metropolitan Nashville Council unanimously voted to reinstate Jones to his seat. He subsequently won an August 2023 special election, allowing him to complete the term.
Jones has continued advocating for gun reform, environmental justice, police accountability and expanded access to health care, according to his campaign website.
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