Tennessee passes new congressional map that splits its only majority-Black district
Summary
Tennessee lawmakers passed a new congressional map that breaks up the state's only majority-Black district, currently held by a Democrat. The map is likely to help Republicans win that seat in the next election, increasing their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.Key Facts
- Tennessee's new congressional map splits the 9th District, which covers most of Memphis and is majority-Black.
- The 9th District is the only one currently held by a Democrat, Representative Steve Cohen.
- Republican Governor Bill Lee signed the new map into law on May 7, 2026.
- The map change allows Republicans a better chance to win the district in the 2026 elections.
- The state also passed laws allowing redistricting more often than every ten years and funding map changes.
- Protests occurred during the special legislative session, with demonstrators removed by police.
- Representative Steve Cohen plans to sue, calling the map a form of racial gerrymandering that weakens Black voting power.
- The changes come shortly after the Supreme Court struck down a similar Louisiana map over racial concerns.
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