RismadarVoice Reporters
May 7, 2026
Tennessee’s Republican-controlled Legislature has passed a newly redrawn congressional map that dismantles the state’s only majority-Black district, in a swift response to a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on redistricting.
The approval of the map positions Republicans to potentially gain an additional congressional seat in the upcoming midterm elections and strengthen their grip on the state’s entire congressional delegation.
The revised boundaries significantly alter the district currently represented by long-serving Democratic lawmaker Steve Cohen, whose Memphis-based constituency has been divided into three separate districts. The new configuration disperses urban Democratic voters into surrounding rural, Republican-leaning areas stretching across wide geographic distances.
The map also further fragments the Nashville metropolitan area, another Democratic stronghold, splitting it into five congressional districts. Analysts say the redesign links voters from diverse regions and media markets in ways that could reshape electoral outcomes in favour of Republicans.
Governor Bill Lee is expected to sign the legislation into law after lawmakers were convened in a special session ahead of the August 6 primary elections.
The House vote on the map passed without Republican lawmakers offering floor defence, while proceedings were briefly disrupted by loud protests from observers in the gallery. Democratic legislators also staged a walkout during the session.
State Representative Gloria Johnson sharply criticised the move, calling it a “power grab” during a heated debate on the House floor.
In the Senate, Republican sponsor John Stevens defended the redistricting effort, arguing that the state’s congressional boundaries should reflect its conservative voter base.
He said the changes were informed by census data, though Democratic lawmakers challenged that justification, noting that census figures do not include partisan affiliation.
Democratic Senator Raumesh Akbari urged colleagues to reject the proposal, drawing historical parallels in a passionate floor speech and warning that the map would weaken Black political representation in Memphis.
The Senate also approved the measure amid vocal protests from both lawmakers and members of the public, with demonstrations continuing outside the chamber.
Tennessee now joins several states engaged in mid-decade redistricting efforts ahead of the elections, a trend intensified by a recent Supreme Court decision that weakened federal restrictions on racial gerrymandering claims. The ruling has opened the door for further map revisions in other states, with potential ripple effects expected into future election cycles.
