Tennessee GOP Unveils Redistricting Plan to Erase State’s Sole Democratic Seat

On Wednesday, Tennessee’s Republican-controlled legislature released a congressional map that would split the Memphis-area Black-majority district into three Republican-leaning districts, eliminating the state’s only Democratic seat and potentially creating an all-Republican 9-0 delegation for the 2024 midterms.

TruthOut

The map follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision earlier this month that struck down lower-court enforcement of the Voting Rights Act, removing the requirement for states to create Black-majority districts when demographic data supports them. Legal analysts say the ruling weakens key VRA protections.

TruthOut

Governor Bill Lee convened a session on redistricting. State Sen. Jon Stevens (R) defended the plan. Democratic opponents include Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D), Rep. Steve Cohen (D) whose district would be eliminated, and State House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons (D).

TruthOut

Tennessee has nine House seats; one Black-majority district in Memphis yields a Democrat and eight Republicans. In the 2024 presidential vote, 34 % chose Democrat Kamala Harris, yet only 11 % of the congressional delegation is Democratic. The new map would split Memphis into three districts projected to favor Republicans.

TruthOut

After the Supreme Court ruling, Governor Lee called the redistricting session and the Republican legislature released the proposal. Jon Stevens argued the plan mirrors Tennessee’s conservative electorate, while Democrats called it a partisan effort that silences Black voters.

TruthOut

Democratic leaders warned the map would erase Black representation. Rep. Steve Cohen described the plan as a corrupt power grab that would eliminate his Memphis district. John Ray Clemmons linked the plan to a Trump-led push to redraw districts before the midterms, accusing Governor Lee of abusing power.

TruthOut

Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered daily at the Nashville Capitol since the session began, protesting the map and demanding preservation of Black-majority representation.

TruthOut

The coverage provides no independent analysis of projected election outcomes under the new districts, nor details on the precise demographic composition of the three proposed Memphis districts, leaving uncertainty about compliance with the Voting Rights Act’s intent.

TruthOut

• “Tennessee is a conservative state, and our congressional delegation should reflect that,” — Jon Stevens, State Senator (R)

TruthOut

• “History will not look back kindly on you when you had an opportunity to do what was right and you chose to do something else,” — Raumesh Akbari, State Senator (D)

TruthOut

• “It’s a blatant, corrupt power grab that would destroy the Black community’s and our entire city’s voice,” — Steve Cohen, U.S. Representative (D)

TruthOut

• “By again bending the knee to a corrupt, lame duck president desperate for help, our weak-kneed governor is abusing his power to try and rig elections and silence the voice of Tennesseans,” — John Ray Clemmons, State House Democratic Caucus Chair (D)

TruthOut