Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen Ends Reelection Bid After Redistricting

Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen said he will not seek reelection after state Republicans approved a new congressional map that divides his Memphis-centered district. Cohen, the only Democrat in Tennessee's congressional delegation, spoke about the decision during a Friday interview with NewsNation's Chris Cuomo. He described the redistricting as a move that left him without a viable path to victory.

Redistricting Details The new map, signed by Gov.

Bill Lee on May 7, splits the 9th District into three districts that lean Republican. Cohen said the change followed pressure from President Trump and congressional Republicans. Cohen noted that mid-decade redistricting is uncommon. He said the map was drawn after the Supreme Court limited Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

"Why would you fight when they changed the district and there aren't enough votes for you to win? That's silly," Cohen said. Cohen, who has represented the district since 2007, said the African-American community had supported him for 20 years. He described the redistricting as a move that disregarded that support. Tennessee's primaries are scheduled for Aug. 6.