Both federal lawsuits challenging Tennessee’s newly redrawn congressional map have now been assigned to U.S. District Judge William L. Campbell, who on Thursday denied the request by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to grant a temporary restraining order.
The decision was announced in a Thursday order by U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, who ruled that the claims in the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) were too similar to the first federal lawsuit filed over the new map, submitted by NAACP attorneys, to justify assignment to a separate judge.
“Both cases arise out of the same event, the recently constructed congressional districts. Each case raises similar and different legal claims. The relief they seek is similar. Treating each case separately duplicates the parties’ efforts and expense and duplicates judicial resources,” the judge wrote, denying the order.
Crenshaw also noted that plaintiffs are likely to argue that the litigation must be reviewed by a three-judge panel, as required by two Tennessee state laws.
“This is especially so considering each case may require a three-judge panel,” wrote Crenshaw. “Reassignment is proper and legally justified.”
Crenshaw’s decision came within minutes of Campbell’s, an appointee of President Donald Trump, denying the NAACP attorneys’ request for a temporary restraining order that would have blocked the new districts from taking effect.
While Campbell declined the plaintiffs’ request for him to block the new maps from taking effect on Thursday, the judge said he would explain his decision in a forthcoming memorandum that had not been released at press time.
The plaintiffs, U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) and State Representative Steve Cohen (D-Memphis), previously asked Campbell to grant the restraining order by Friday, the final date allowed under the redistricting legislation for candidates to drop out of the race or run in another district.
With the cases consolidated under the Trump-appointed judge, who did not grant the requested restraining order, Cohen has announced his retirement from Congress. The fight for the Democratic Party’s nomination now appears likely to become a two-candidate struggle between Pearson and State Senator London Lamar (D-Memphis).
On the Republican side, State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) announced this week that he has accrued more than 30 endorsements, including from multiple members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation. He has self-funded his campaign with a $1 million loan.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Poster” by NAACP.
