Key Takeaways
- • Democratic incumbent Steve Cohen secured re-election to the U.S. House representing Tennessee's 9th congressional district (Memphis), defeating Republican Charlotte Bergmann and winning his seventh consecutive term.
- • Cohen's victory maintains Democratic representation in one of Tennessee's two Democratic-held House seats; Jim Cooper of Nashville is the other Democrat among the state's nine U.S. House members.
- • Cohen defeated Bergmann by a landslide margin, consistent with previous electoral performance in the majority-Democrat, majority-Black Memphis district.
- • Cohen has emerged as a prominent vocal critic of President Donald Trump during his tenure, positioning himself as an opposition voice within the chamber.
Summary
Democratic congressman Steve Cohen won re-election on November 6, 2018, securing his seventh term representing Tennessee's 9th congressional district, which encompasses Memphis. Cohen defeated Republican challenger Charlotte Bergmann in a decisive victory, consistent with his prior electoral dominance in the district. Bergmann had faced no primary opposition within the Republican Party before advancing to the general election.
Cohen's return to Congress preserves Democratic control of one of only two U.S. House seats held by Democrats across Tennessee's nine-member delegation. Jim Cooper, representing Nashville, remains the state's only other Democratic House member. This concentration of Republican representation reflects broader political demographics in Tennessee during the 2018 midterm cycle.
As an incumbent during the midterm elections, Cohen was one of six Tennessee House members seeking re-election. His constituency—a majority-Democratic and majority-Black urban district—has provided consistent electoral support. Cohen has established himself as a notable critic of the Trump administration during his tenure in Congress, leveraging his platform to oppose key administration policies and initiatives.
Cohen's return to Congress preserves Democratic control of one of only two U.S. House seats held by Democrats across Tennessee's nine-member delegation. Jim Cooper, representing Nashville, remains the state's only other Democratic House member. This concentration of Republican representation reflects broader political demographics in Tennessee during the 2018 midterm cycle.
As an incumbent during the midterm elections, Cohen was one of six Tennessee House members seeking re-election. His constituency—a majority-Democratic and majority-Black urban district—has provided consistent electoral support. Cohen has established himself as a notable critic of the Trump administration during his tenure in Congress, leveraging his platform to oppose key administration policies and initiatives.
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