E04: Rep. Gabby Salinas: A Fighter for Memphis
Air date: 07/31/2026
Host: Gloria Johnson: Tennessee State Representative, District 90
Guest: State Rep. Gabby Salinas (D-Memphis, TN House District 96)
NOTE: This episode was released early (off the usual Tuesday schedule) ahead of the August 6, 2026 Democratic primary, in which Gabby Salinas is on the ballot in District 96.
Episode Summary
Gloria talks with fellow State Rep. Gabby Salinas about her personal journey, arriving in Memphis as a seven-year-old cancer patient at St. Jude, her family gaining citizenship with help from then-Senator Fred Thompson, and how that history shapes her work in the legislature today. They cover the 2025 special session fight over Memphis redistricting, Gabby's bipartisan-sponsored cold case bill, the defeat of a bill Gabby says would have challenged Plyler v. Doe nationally, and close with a get-out-the-vote push ahead of the August 6th primary, including details on how to volunteer in Memphis this week.Topics Covered
Topics Covered
Gabby's personal story: arriving in Memphis at 7 for cancer treatment at St. Jude, her family's car accident, and gaining citizenship with the help of then-Senator Fred Thompson
The 2025 special session fight over Memphis redistricting and Black voting power
Ida B. Wells and Memphis's civil rights history as throughline for Gabby's approach to the legislature
"Amend, delay, and defeat" — operating as the opposition in a legislative supermajority (referencing Stacey Abrams)
Defeat of House Bill 793, which Gabby says was designed to challenge Plyler v. Doe (the Supreme Court case guaranteeing public education regardless of immigration status)
Gabby's bipartisan cold case bill, sponsored with GOP Sen. Kerry Roberts, addressing an estimated 33,000 unsolved cases in Tennessee
Response to campaign attacks from her primary opponent about not yet passing standalone legislation
Gabby's status as the first Democratic Latina elected to the Tennessee legislature
Rising anti-immigrant legislation (40+ bills in the last session) and Gabby's personal experience navigating the immigration system
GOTV closing segment: early voting deadlines, Election Day (August 6), and how to volunteer in Memphis
Guests & People Mentioned:
Guest Info:
Rep. Gabby Salinas
IG/FB: @voteforgabby · VoteForGabby.com
Gloria Johnson
IG/X: @VoteGloriaJ
Notable People Mentioned:
Rep. Shaundelle Brooks, Rep. Jason Powell, Rep. Justin Jones, Rep. Justin Pearson (TN State Reps, mentioned re: canvassing together in Memphis this week)
Sen. Kerry Roberts (TN State Senator-R, co-sponsor of Gabby's cold case bill)
Former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN, deceased 2015; mentioned re: helping Gabby's family gain citizenship)
Ida B. Wells (referenced, civil rights/suffrage history)