Story perspectives

Tennessee Map Splits Memphis Black District, Cohen Retires

5/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

Tennessee redrew its congressional map after the Supreme Court decision, splitting Memphis’s majority-Black district into three districts.
Rep. Steve Cohen called the redistricting a “gangster move” that would eliminate his seat and said he will not run again.
The new map spreads the former Memphis district across three districts beyond Shelby County, giving Republicans an advantage and prompting State Rep. Justin J. Pearson to run in the Republican Ninth District.

History

Historical Context

In 1962 the Supreme Court’s 6-2 ruling in Baker v. Carr made state redistricting justiciable and established “one person, one vote,” ending Tennessee’s failure to redraw districts since 1901. The decision forced Governor Buford Ellington’s legislature to create a Memphis district of over 1 million people. Today Rep. Steve Cohen warns a new court-ordered map again splits the majority-Black district, reviving the same constitutional fight.

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Story summary

Tennessee redrew its congressional map after the Supreme Court decision, splitting Memphis’s majority-Black district into three districts.
Rep. Steve Cohen called the redistricting a “gangster move” that would eliminate his seat and said he will not run again.
The new map spreads the former Memphis district across three districts beyond Shelby County, giving Republicans an advantage and prompting State Rep. Justin J. Pearson to run in the Republican Ninth District.

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