In a decisive move, Tennessee’s predominantly Republican legislature has approved a revised congressional map that divides the state’s only Democrat-held district. This action is part of a broader national effort by both political parties to gain the upper hand in the U.S. House elections set for November.
The new proposal awaits the signature of Governor Bill Lee, a Republican who initiated a special legislative session to address the redistricting issue. Before advancing the new map, lawmakers had to repeal a previous ban on mid-decade redistricting, underscoring the significance of this political maneuver.
The redrawn map specifically targets the city of Memphis, a predominantly Black urban center, along with its encompassing Shelby County. By splitting this Democratic-leaning region into three separate districts, the map tilts favorably towards Republican interests. The current representative of this area, Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen, has expressed his intention to legally challenge the new division.
Republican state Senator John Stevens, representing northwest Tennessee, candidly acknowledged the strategic nature of the redistricting, stating, “These maps were drawn to maximize our partisan advantage.” This admission highlights the political motivations driving the redistricting efforts in Tennessee and beyond.
Lee called the special session of the Tennessee legislature last week after the Supreme Court threw out Louisiana’s congressional map. In the ruling, the Supreme Court narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which considered race in redrawing its House district lines.
“These maps were drawn to maximize our partisan advantage,” said Republican state Sen. John Stevens, who represents northwest Tennessee.
Democrats strenuously objected to the new map, and protesters against the measure filled the State Capitol on Thursday. Ahead of the Senate vote, protesters yelled: “Don’t do this!” Democratic state Sen. London Lamar, who represents Memphis, warned Republicans, “You have awakened a sleeping giant today.”
The measure first passed the Tennessee House during the rowdy session in which the audience was ejected. Democratic lawmakers then walked out when the measure passed.
The mid-decade redistricting war, which kicked off last summer when President Trump pushed Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional map, gained renewed momentum last week after the Supreme Court ruling.
