Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) is set to address the media Friday morning, just days after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a Republican-drawn congressional map that dismantles Cohen's Memphis-based 9th District. The new map, which was passed along party lines, effectively eliminates the state's only majority-Black congressional district, splitting its voters among three neighboring districts.
Cohen has promised to take legal action, arguing that the map violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voting power. The NAACP has already filed a lawsuit challenging the map, and Cohen's announcement is expected to align with that effort. The press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. EDT.
GOP Redistricting Push
The Tennessee map is part of a broader Republican strategy to solidify their House majority through redistricting. Nationwide, GOP-controlled states have drawn maps that pack or crack Democratic-leaning districts, often targeting minority communities. In Tennessee, Republicans hold a supermajority in the legislature and have used that power to reshape the state's congressional map to favor their party in seven of nine districts.
The 9th District, which Cohen has represented since 2007, was a safe Democratic seat. Under the new map, large portions of Memphis are now in districts represented by Republicans, likely flipping the seat red in the 2024 midterms. This mirrors similar moves in other states, such as South Carolina and Missouri, where GOP-led redistricting has drawn legal challenges.
Legal and Political Fallout
Cohen's legal challenge could test the limits of the Voting Rights Act in the wake of recent Supreme Court decisions that have weakened federal protections against racial gerrymandering. The Congressional Black Caucus has warned that at least 19 of its members face increased redistricting risks after the Court's rulings. If the Tennessee map survives litigation, it could embolden other states to adopt similar tactics.
The press conference comes as the White House unveiled a $1 billion security plan, but redistricting remains a central political battleground. Cohen is expected to detail his legal strategy and call for federal intervention to protect minority voting rights.
What's at Stake
For Tennessee Democrats, the map represents a significant setback. The 9th District was a stronghold for Black representation in Congress, and its dismantling could leave the state without a Black member of Congress for the first time in decades. Cohen, who is white, has represented the district since its creation after the 2000 Census, but the district's Black population has been a key part of its identity.
Republicans argue that the map is a fair reflection of population shifts and partisan balance, but critics say it is a clear case of partisan gerrymandering. The legal battle ahead could shape the 2024 House map and set precedents for redistricting fights across the country.
Watch the live video above for Cohen's full remarks.
