Tennessee GOP Seeks to Eliminate State’s Only Democratic House Seat After Court Ruling
Tennessee Republicans push for special session to redraw congressional maps after Supreme Court eliminates voting rights protections for minority districts.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — Tennessee Republicans are moving to redraw the state’s congressional map and eliminate its only Democratic-held U.S. House seat following a Supreme Court decision that struck down a provision of the Voting Rights Act on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that states are no longer required to draw majority-minority districts, with the conservative majority stating that using race to create these maps constituted discrimination. The decision immediately prompted calls from Tennessee’s senior U.S. Senator for new redistricting.
Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who is also running for governor in 2026, called on state lawmakers to hold a special session to draw new maps ahead of the 2026 midterm election. She shared a photo on social media of a congressional map showing nine Republican districts, stating she would do “everything I can to make this map a reality.”
Impact on Tennessee’s Congressional Representation
Tennessee, with a Black population of around 16%, was previously required by the Voting Rights Act to draw at least one of its nine congressional districts as majority-minority. This requirement effectively helped Democrats maintain control of a Memphis-based seat.
Blackburn described the proposed all-Republican map as “essential” to cement President Donald Trump’s agenda and “the Golden Age of America.” The current configuration includes one Democratic district among the state’s nine congressional seats.
Mixed Response from State Leadership
The Tennessee Lookout reached out to Gov. Bill Lee, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and state House Speaker Cameron Sexton regarding their positions on a special redistricting session.
Speaker Cameron Sexton said by email his office was “reviewing the recent opinion” and having “conversations with the White House and other individuals.” Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said the current maps are “strong, fair and legal.”
The governor’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment on whether Lee supports calling a special session.
Civil Rights Groups Voice Opposition
Civil rights advocates expressed concern about the Supreme Court’s decision and its potential impact on Black voting power in Tennessee.
“I don’t think anybody is shocked by the ruling,” said Tequila Johnson, the head of the Tennessee Equity Alliance, a Nashville-based organization promoting civic engagement among Black Tennesseans. “They are deliberately trying to dilute Black voting power.”
The ruling represents a significant shift in federal voting rights protections that have been in place for decades. The decision removes the requirement for states to maintain districts where minority voters comprise a majority, potentially reshaping congressional representation across multiple states.
If Tennessee proceeds with redistricting, it could join other Republican-controlled states in redrawing maps following the Supreme Court’s ruling. The timing would be critical, as any new maps would need to be in place before the 2026 midterm elections.
