After the U.S. Supreme Court released its decision, tightening the ability to create race-based congressional districts under the Voting Rights Act, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on Wednesday called on the Tennessee General Assembly to reconvene and redraw the 9th Congressional District.
“I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis,” wrote Blackburn in a post to X. “It’s essential to cement [President Donald Trump]’s agenda and the Golden Age of America.”
Blackburn, who is currently the favorite to receive the Republican nomination to serve as Tennessee’s next governor, said she would work to redraw the district, assuming its boundaries have not changed prior to the midterm elections, if elected governor.
“I’ve vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I’ll do everything I can to make this map a reality,” Blackburn wrote.
I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis. It's essential to cement @realDonaldTrump’s agenda and the Golden Age of America.
I've vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I'll do everything I can to make this map a… pic.twitter.com/qljW0mxiqG
— Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) April 29, 2026
Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District is currently represented by U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), who was first elected to represent the district in 2006. Despite his two decades in the district, Cohen has found himself in a fierce primary contest against State Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), who has the support of Justice Democrats, a political action committee (PAC) launched by former staffers of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Should the General Assembly redraw the district’s boundaries, allowing a Republican to compete in Memphis, it could lead to the first Republican elected in the 9th Congressional District since 1970.
However, the call from Blackburn comes only days after the General Assembly concluded its legislative session, allowing lawmakers to begin campaigning for reelection. To redraw the district, Governor Bill Lee would need to call lawmakers back for a special session to pass the boundaries.
Despite the incentive to conclude work at the Legislature and begin campaigning, at least one state lawmaker has similarly called for the General Assembly to act.
State Representative Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) wrote in a post to X on Wednesday, “The Tennessee legislature should reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis. Tennessee should do its part in supporting [Trump]’s America First agenda by getting rid of the woke [Cohen].”
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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].
