Tennessee's primary elections on Tuesday mark the first electoral test for a new congressional map that has reshaped districts, including one in Memphis that previously ensured majority Black representation. The Republican-controlled Legislature redrew the state's congressional boundaries following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited federal protections for minority voters under the Voting Rights Act.
The revised map for the 9th Congressional District, once a Democratic stronghold centered in Memphis, now extends approximately 200 miles east and north, creating a district more favorable to Republicans. This change has prompted concerns among some Memphis residents that their representation has been diminished.
Longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, who previously represented the 9th District, opted not to seek reelection under the new map. His former primary challenger, state Rep. Justin Pearson, is now part of a four-way contest for the Democratic nomination in the reshaped district. Pearson gained national attention in 2023 when he was expelled from the state House for participating in gun control protests after a school shooting in Nashville, and was later reelected by Memphis voters.
Republicans currently hold eight of Tennessee's nine U.S. House seats. Historically, Memphis, the most populous city in Shelby County, formed the core of its own congressional district. Under the new map, Shelby County is divided among three districts that reach into surrounding rural areas.
Lonzo Taylor, a retired postal worker, expressed disappointment with the redistricting, stating that it dilutes the voting power of Black residents. "We only had one district in the whole state of Tennessee, and you don’t even want that to be fair? It’s just terrible," Taylor said, attributing the redistricting to the governor calling a special legislative session.
Milla Meiman, a voter who participated in early voting, indicated she was unaware of the map changes until receiving a letter about it. She described the alteration as "a drastic change" and suggested it could be a tactic of voter suppression.
Terrice Thomas, an educator, also noted the need to re-familiarize herself with candidates after being moved from the 9th to the 8th Congressional District. She voiced concern that Memphis constituents might be overlooked and questioned whether all voters would have an equal say in community matters.
The redrawing of the 9th District has also impacted the 5th Congressional District, previously held by Republican Rep. Andy Ogles. This district now stretches from the Nashville area northwest and then south along the Mississippi River to Memphis, bordering Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Ogles, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, is seeking reelection and has received an endorsement from President Donald Trump. He faced a primary challenge from Charlie Hatcher, a former state agriculture commissioner.
Ogles' campaign faced scrutiny when the FBI seized his cellphone in 2024 as part of an investigation into his campaign finance reporting. However, the Justice Department recently agreed to return the device, indicating a potential end to the probe initiated under the Biden administration.
In the Democratic primary for the 5th District, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder is among the five candidates running, despite having been drawn out of the district by the new map.
Elsewhere in Tennessee, Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose is not seeking reelection in the 6th District, instead running for governor. This has created a competitive Republican primary for the district, which extends east from Nashville. State Rep. Johnny Garrett and former U.S. Rep. Van Hilleary, who previously served eight years in Congress, are among the four Republican candidates.
Tennessee's gubernatorial race features Republican U.S. Rep. John Rose and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn among those seeking to succeed Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who is term-limited. Blackburn, having won her second Senate term in 2024, would have to relinquish her Senate seat if elected governor. Republicans have held the governorship since 2011 and have won every U.S. Senate election in the state since 1994. Sen. Bill Hagerty is running unopposed in the Republican Senate primary, while numerous Democrats and independents are competing for the opportunity to challenge him.