Tennessee appears poised to redraw its congressional map in a move that could eliminate the state’s lone deep-blue district in the Memphis area, currently represented by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), following Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling narrowing the scope of the Voting Rights Act.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday afternoon that he had communicated with Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee about the possibility of a redraw.
“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,” Trump posted to Truth Social.
“Likewise, all of the other Political Representatives of Tennessee have promised to do so. 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. Thank you Governor Lee — PUSH HARD!” Trump added.
The comments come after Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) called for a redrawing of the Volunteer State’s map. Blackburn is running for governor as Lee is termed out, encouraging lawmakers to act.
“I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis. It’s essential to cement [Trump’s] agenda and the Golden Age of America,” Blackburn wrote in an X post.
“I’ve vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I’ll do everything I can to make this map a reality,” she added.
In response to the president’s Truth Social comments, Blackburn posted, “Fantastic news. Thank you, [Trump] and [Lee]!”
The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais hinged primarily on a majority-minority district in Louisiana, which Justice Samuel Alito wrote was “an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.”
The ruling’s broader implications are likely to be tested beyond Louisiana. Tennessee and other states, including Mississippi, have majority-minority districts created under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In her dissent, liberal Justice Elena Kagan warned that the decision could effectively gut those protections.
“After today, those districts exist only on sufferance, and probably not for long,” Kagan wrote. “If other States follow Louisiana’s lead, the minority citizens residing there will no longer have an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. And minority representation in government institutions will sharply decline.”
Louisiana has already moved to suspend its May congressional primaries as its maps are redrawn in accordance with the ruling, The Daily Wire reported Thursday morning.
Potential redistricting changes could shape the battle for control of the House of Representatives in November.
