Tennessee's Republican lawmakers on Wednesday morning released a map of newly proposed congressional lines that would give the GOP an additional stronghold in the state.
Last week, Gov. Bill Lee called a special session to redraw the lines — particularly those around Memphis, which is Tennessee’s sole Democratic congressional district since redistricting in 2022 split Nashville in three. The 9th Congressional District, which currently contains Memphis, has a majority Black population. The proposed map will affect all nine districts statewide, but Shelby County is proposed to be separated into three districts. Nashville would be carved up between the 4th, 6th and 7th districts.
The special session follows a social media post from President Donald Trump last week, in which the president said he would like to see Tennessee become fully Republican — a reaction to Wednesday's U.S. Supreme Court decision dealing a blow to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. SCOTUS ruled in Louisiana v. Callais that it’s illegal to draw congressional maps based on race.
Session to redraw state’s congressional maps sees committee assignments, but no official maps yet
State House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) filed House Bill 7003/Senate Bill 7004 to redraw Tennessee congressional districts on Monday.
“The Supreme Court has opined that redistricting, like the judicial system, should be color-blind,” says Sexton, who is carrying the House bill. “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.”
Protesters lined the House gallery, holding signs and shouting objections as soon as the maps were released Wednesday morning.
“Tennessee is a conservative state, and our congressional delegation should reflect that,” says Sen. John Stevens (R-Huntingdon), who is carrying the Senate bill. “This bill ensures it does.”
"This map doesn't tell us much of anything at all," says Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), who is currently running in the Democratic primary for the 9th Congressional District. "But we do know the intention is very clear here to break up the only Black district in Tennessee. That is their intention. That is what this map is reflective to do."
Lawmakers will debate the maps throughout the committee process on Wednesday. It’s expected that the new maps will go to votes on the Senate and House floors Thursday morning.
