Tennessee Republicans Approve New Congressional Map Splitting Democratic Districts

Tennessee's Republican-led legislature approved a redrawn congressional map Thursday that carves up the state's lone Democratic-held district. The move makes Tennessee the latest state to adjust boundaries as both parties vie for U.S. House control in November.

The new map now heads to Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who convened lawmakers in a special session for the task. The General Assembly first passed a measure Thursday to lift its own ban on mid-decade redistricting.

The plan splits Memphis, a city with a Black majority, and surrounding Shelby County into three districts. That change would benefit Republicans. The area is now represented by Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, who plans to sue over the map.

Nashville remains split among three districts, though the new boundaries differ from before. Democrats had eyed District 5, held by Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, but the updated version now pulls in wealthy Nashville suburbs and stretches into downtown Memphis.

Lee called the special session last week after the Supreme Court rejected Louisiana's congressional map. The decision limited Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which had factored in race for district lines.

"These maps were drawn to maximize our partisan advantage," said Republican state Sen. John Stevens, who represents northwest Tennessee.

Democrats fiercely opposed the map, and protesters packed the State Capitol on Thursday. Before the Senate vote, demonstrators shouted, "Don't do this!" Democratic state Sen. London Lamar, who represents Memphis, told Republicans, "You have awakened a sleeping giant today."

The measure cleared the Tennessee House amid chaos that saw spectators ejected from the chamber. Democratic lawmakers walked out after its passage.