Story perspectives

Tennessee Redistricting Plan Erases Black District, Gives GOP Nine Seats

5/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Tennessee map would eliminate the state's majority-Black district, giving Republicans all nine seats.
Republican leaders presented the plan on May 6 2026 and set votes for May 7 2026.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson filed HB 7003 and SB 7004 to split Shelby County among three districts, move Memphis into District 5 with Williamson and Maury counties, drawing condemnation from Democratic officials and the NAACP as a racially discriminatory power grab.

History

Historical Context

In 1993 the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling in Shaw v. Reno, holding that North Carolina’s oddly shaped 12th congressional district violated the Equal Protection Clause and must meet strict scrutiny. The decision created a lasting standard for racial gerrymandering challenges. Tennessee leaders Cameron Sexton and Jack Johnson propose splitting Shelby County, a plan that could be struck down under the Shaw precedent.

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Story summary

The Tennessee map would eliminate the state's majority-Black district, giving Republicans all nine seats.
Republican leaders presented the plan on May 6 2026 and set votes for May 7 2026.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson filed HB 7003 and SB 7004 to split Shelby County among three districts, move Memphis into District 5 with Williamson and Maury counties, drawing condemnation from Democratic officials and the NAACP as a racially discriminatory power grab.

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