politics
Tennessee Republicans Propose New Congressional Map That Would Eliminate Memphis-Based Democratic District
Legislative leaders released the congressional map proposal on May 6, 2026, one week after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting the use of race in redistricting. The plan would carve up Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen's majority-Black Memphis district and divide the metro area of more than 1 million people into three districts.
May 6, 6:20 PM·2m read1 source
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Republican legislative leaders in Tennessee released a congressional map proposal on May 6, 2026, that would eliminate the state's only Democratic-controlled district by carving up a majority-Black district based in Memphis represented by Democrat Steve Cohen. U.S. Supreme Court's ruling limiting the use of race in redistricting.
State House Speaker Cameron Sexton said the Supreme Court has opined that redistricting should be color-blind. Sexton added that the decision indicated states like Tennessee can redistrict based on partisan politics. “Tennessee’s redistricting will reduce the risk of future legal challenges while promoting sound and strategic conservatism,” Sexton said in a statement.
The suite of legislation filed seeks to change a state law that allows lawmakers to enact new district maps only once each decade. Sexton and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson filed the legislation on May 6, 2026. The two leaders expect both chambers to hold floor votes on the proposal on May 7, 2026.
Tennessee’s primaries are scheduled for August 6, 2026. The proposed map would divide the Memphis metro area, home to more than 1 million people, into three different districts. , office, particularly since the map is designed to elect Republicans and Memphis is a stronghold for Democratic voters.
Crayton noted that Tennessee has three distinct regions, represented by three stars on the state's flag. The proposed congressional map crosses historically and geographically distinct regions, tying voters from different media markets and time zones together.
