Tennessee Lawmakers Pass New Congressional Map Splitting Memphis District

Tennessee Republicans passed a new congressional map during a special session that split the Memphis area's only majority-Black district into three parts. The map was signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee on May 7. The redrawn lines folded the former 9th District into adjacent Republican-leaning districts.

An analysis by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report estimated the change created a nine-point Republican advantage.

Background on the Redistricting State Rep.

Justin Pearson had been campaigning since October to represent the Memphis-area seat. He said he learned details of the map changes only on the penultimate day of the special session. Pearson stated that the process followed a conversation between President Trump and Gov.

Bill Lee about gaining additional Republican seats ahead of the midterm elections. The map became the first redrawn after a Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act.

Pearson joined hundreds of civil rights leaders and voters in protesting the map shortly after its passage. He was later stripped of his committee assignments. A federal judge denied a request by Black voters, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, to block the map before the primary.

The voters plan to appeal the decision. Pearson said Republicans also removed a requirement that voters receive mailed notice of district changes, leaving many unaware of the new boundaries. Pearson continues to campaign in the redrawn district, which now extends from the Memphis area into rural Tennessee.

He faces state Sen. London Lamar, who was endorsed by retiring Rep. Steve Cohen.