Full Breakdown
Tennessee Governor Signs Congressional Redistricting Map into Law
5/8/2026, 10:42:51 PM
Map Signed into Law
On May 7, 2026, Governor Bill Lee signed a bill that adopts a new congressional map for Tennessee, effective for the 2026 primary. HB 7002 lifts the ban on redistricting between censuses; HB 7001 suspends state residency requirements for U.S. House candidates.
Background and Court Context
The special session followed a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down a provision of the 1965 Civil Rights Act allowing race-based data in congressional redistricting. Republicans said the ruling lets them redraw maps without the prior barrier and passed HB 7005 to fund the session.
Key Legislators
Governor Bill Lee authorized the session and signed the legislation. Republican Sen. John Stevens said the map aims to maximize GOP chances of winning all nine seats. Rep. Jason Zachary called it a historic chance for an all-Republican delegation. Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro noted the racial split in Memphis districts and questioned fairness. Democratic amendments were repeatedly defeated.
Demographic Data
District 9 holds about 270,000 Memphis residents, 70 % Black. District 8 holds about 440,000 residents of Memphis and Shelby County, 27 % Black. 72 % of White voters are placed in one district, while 75 % of Black voters are split between two districts.
Official Statements
Republican officials said the map follows the latest census and reflects conservative principles, noting the statutory barrier removal aligns with the recent Supreme Court decision. Democratic leaders called the plan a partisan gerrymander that dilutes Black voting strength and urged legislative and judicial review.
Criticism
Democrats argue the map concentrates Black voters into fewer districts, reducing their influence, and claim it is driven by politics rather than demographics, urging court intervention.
Conflicting Reports
Republicans say the map relies only on census data; Democrats say race was decisive. No independent analysis of compliance with the 1965 Civil Rights Act is available, leaving the legal status unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The map was drawn to maximize the republican chances to win nine congressional district seats in the upcoming mid-term elections.” — Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon
- “Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville): “District 9 takes about 270,000 citizens of Memphis and about 70% percent of those residents are black.” — Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville
- “The map...was drafted based on the census, the population related to the last census, but it was absolutely drafted on politics...based on court rulings, this gives us a unique opportunity to, for the first time in history, to have an all-Republican delegation sent from Tennessee to Washington D.C. to represent conservative values. To represent conservative principles,” — Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville
- “This gives us a historic opportunity, so we’re taking advantage of that as the supermajority in this body.” — Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville
Next Steps
The new districts will be contested in the 2026 primary, and observers will watch the impact on Tennessee’s congressional delegation.
