President Donald Trump announced in a Thursday post to his social media website, Truth Social, that Governor Bill Lee confirmed he will work to redraw Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District after the U.S. Supreme Court decision that narrowed how the Voting Rights Act can be applied when drawing congressional districts.
“I had a very good conversation with Governor Bill Lee, of Tennessee, this morning, wherein he stated that he would work hard to correct the unconstitutional flaw in the Congressional Maps of the Great State of Tennessee,” wrote Trump.
Encouraging Lee to “push hard,” Trump also indicated that leaders in the Tennessee General Assembly are expressed their willingness to act, writing, “Likewise, all of the other Political Representatives of Tennessee have promised to do so.”
The president added, “This should give us one extra seat, and help Save our Country from the Radical Left Democrats, and their Country destroying Policies of High Tax, Open Borders, Transgender Mutilization, Defunding the Police, ICE, and Border Patrol, No Voter ID, Soft on Crime, and so much more.”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 30, 2026
Trump’s statement follows the call by U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) for the 9th Congressional District to be redrawn on Wednesday, when she said Tennessee Republicans had the opportunity to help “cement” the president’s agenda by sending another Republican to Congress.
Blackburn, who is currently the favorite to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination, wrote in a post to X, “I’ve vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I’ll do everything I can to make this map a reality.”
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
State Representative Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) was the first to call for the district to be redrawn on Wednesday. In response, State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) appeared to indicate his interest in running for the seat after it is redrawn.
Fresh off his efforts to improve education and public safety in Memphis, Taylor questioned in a post to social media, “Hey Johnny – Got any ideas on who would make a great Republican Congressman from West TN to join Rep. Kustoff?”
Garrett replied, “Definitely needs to be someone who will #MakeMemphisMatter!! I think I know a guy!”
Should the district be redrawn in time for the 2026 midterm elections, a Republican could win the seat for the first time since 1970.
It has been represented by U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) since 2007, but Cohen is currently in a competitive primary fight with State Representative Justin Pearson (D-Memphis), who earned early backing from a political action committee (PAC) launched by former staffers to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
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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].
