Trump-Backed Mid-Decade Redistricting Fuels Legal Battles in South Carolina and Tennessee

A U.S. Supreme Court decision that weakened a Voting Rights Act provision prompted states to revisit congressional maps before the 2024 midterms. President Donald Trump urged Republican legislatures to pursue mid-decade redistricting to protect his party’s House majority. South Carolina’s House extended its session to redraw districts, a move that could erase the state’s only Democratic-held seat. Tennessee repealed a 56-year ban on mid-decade redistricting, approved a map that splits the majority-Black 9th District, and Gov. Bill Lee signed it into law.

The Hill

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) warned that Republicans are targeting his majority-Black 6th District “not because voters demanded it, but because Donald Trump requested it,” and urged colleagues to block the effort. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) called the Tennessee map a “racial gerrymander” that strips Memphis of effective representation and said he will seek judicial relief. State leaders called the changes routine, while Democratic Party chairs in both states called the proposals “reckless.”

Clyburn and Cohen say the redistricting plans are politically motivated attacks on Black-majority districts. Cohen notes the Tennessee map splits the 9th District into three districts and fragments Nashville into five, diluting Democratic voting strength. The South Carolina Democratic Party chair called the renewed redistricting talk “reckless,” citing the proximity of primary elections. Brent Taylor framed his campaign as a defense of conservative values aligned with Trump.

South Carolina’s 6th District is the state’s only Democratic-held congressional seat. Tennessee’s 9th District, the sole majority-Black district, is divided into three districts; Nashville is split into five districts under the new plan.

The South Carolina Senate has not acted on the House’s session extension, leaving the map outcome uncertain. Tennessee’s legal challenges are pending, and courts have not ruled on the constitutionality of the new districts.

South Carolina primaries are less than a month away; Clyburn seeks an 18th term and is mobilizing volunteers to protect the 6th District. Cohen’s lawsuit will be filed in federal court, and the House Oversight Committee may request additional documentation. Brent Taylor has entered the race for Tennessee’s 9th District, adding a Republican challenger.

• “Republicans are trying to break apart South Carolina’s 6th District. Not because voters demanded it, but because Donald Trump requested it,” — James Clyburn, U.S. Representative (SC)

The Hill

• “Trump knows he HAS TO rig the game to keep his majority in November.” — Steve Cohen, U.S. Representative (TN)

• “Next stop is the courts.” — Steve Cohen, testimony

• “to stand with @realdonaldtrump and cement Tennessee’s conservative legacy for generations to come.” — Brent Taylor, State Senator (R-TN)