Tennessee voters headed to the polls Tuesday to settle a trio of open House primaries, reshaping the state's congressional delegation. With GOP-led redistricting pushing the state's only Democrat out of a safe seat, the races are drawing national attention.
Memphis's 9th District: A New Era
The most closely watched contest is in the 9th District, where longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen decided not to seek reelection after the Republican-controlled legislature redrew his district to favor the GOP. The move effectively ended Cohen's career, leaving Democrats to defend a seat they've held for decades.
State Rep. Justin Pearson, a progressive Democrat known for his activism, is squaring off against Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor. The redrawn district is now considered competitive, though Democrats are hoping Pearson can hold the line in a district that still has a significant urban base in Memphis.
Pearson has campaigned on economic justice and criminal justice reform, while Taylor has focused on public safety and conservative fiscal policies. The outcome could hinge on turnout in Shelby County, the district's population center.
5th District: Ogles Out, New Faces
In the 5th District, Republican Rep. Andy Ogles lost his primary bid, setting up a race between Republican Charlie Hatcher and Democrat Johnny Garrett. Hatcher, a businessman, is the heavy favorite in the GOP-leaning district, which includes parts of Nashville's suburbs and rural counties.
Garrett, a Democrat, is running on a platform of bipartisan cooperation and infrastructure investment, but faces an uphill battle in a district that has trended Republican in recent cycles.
6th District: Rose's Departure
The 6th District is also open after Republican Rep. John Rose chose to run for governor, a bid that ended in a primary loss to Sen. Marsha Blackburn. Republicans are expected to easily retain this seat, with the primary winner likely to prevail in November.
The other six Tennessee House members are all running for reelection, and their races are largely expected to go their way in a state that has become reliably red.
What to Watch
Polls closed at 8 p.m. EST, and results are coming in. The 9th District race is the one to watch, as it could provide an early indicator of Democratic strength in the South. Meanwhile, the GOP primaries in the 5th and 6th districts will set the stage for November, though both are expected to stay in Republican hands.
For more on how Tennessee's races fit into the national picture, see our coverage of Blackburn's gubernatorial bid and other key House battlegrounds.
