Key Takeaways
- • Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) announced Friday that he is ending his bid for reelection after Tennessee Republicans enacted a new U.S. House map that carves up his majority-Black Memphis district to the GOP's advantage.
- • The redraw followed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that significantly weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities; Tennessee was the first state to pass new congressional districts under that ruling.
- • Cohen is challenging the redistricting in court and said he would reenter the race if the lawsuit restores his old district.
- • Cohen predicted it would be nearly impossible for Tennessee Democrats to win a House seat under the new districts, and said Tennessee would likely shift to an entirely Republican congressional delegation.
- • Justin Pearson, a state lawmaker and Black progressive who had challenged Cohen in the primary, said he still intends to run in the redrawn 9th District, which now includes multiple rural counties that backed Trump by double-digit margins.
Summary
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee announced Friday that he is ending his bid for reelection, according to the Associated Press. He attributed the decision to redistricting, saying, "I don't want to quit. I'm not a quitter. But these districts were drawn to beat me." Cohen made the remarks in his Washington, D.C., office.
Republicans in Tennessee enacted the new U.S. House map earlier this month. The map divides Cohen's majority-Black Memphis district into three neighboring districts, reshaping it to the GOP's advantage as part of President Donald Trump's effort to hold a slim House majority in the November midterm elections. Tennessee was the first state to pass new congressional districts following a Supreme Court decision last month that significantly weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities. Republicans in Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina have also taken steps toward redistricting.
Cohen, who has represented the Memphis district for about two decades, is challenging the state's redistricting effort in court and said he would reenter the race if the lawsuit succeeds in restoring his old district. He was facing a primary challenge from state Rep. Justin Pearson, a Black progressive. Pearson told the AP the "status quo is failing us" and said he still intends to run in the redrawn 9th District. Cohen predicted it would be nearly impossible for Tennessee Democrats to win a congressional seat under the new map, though he said the effort could "backfire on the Republicans" with an unusually large Democratic registration and turnout effort.
Cohen said he would use his remaining time in Congress to oppose Trump, calling him "the greatest threat to democracy and to decorum and grace that we've ever seen." House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that Cohen was "a powerful champion for civil rights." Memphis activists, including Tierney Macon of The Equity Alliance, said they would hold the city's new representatives accountable regardless of party.
Republicans in Tennessee enacted the new U.S. House map earlier this month. The map divides Cohen's majority-Black Memphis district into three neighboring districts, reshaping it to the GOP's advantage as part of President Donald Trump's effort to hold a slim House majority in the November midterm elections. Tennessee was the first state to pass new congressional districts following a Supreme Court decision last month that significantly weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities. Republicans in Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina have also taken steps toward redistricting.
Cohen, who has represented the Memphis district for about two decades, is challenging the state's redistricting effort in court and said he would reenter the race if the lawsuit succeeds in restoring his old district. He was facing a primary challenge from state Rep. Justin Pearson, a Black progressive. Pearson told the AP the "status quo is failing us" and said he still intends to run in the redrawn 9th District. Cohen predicted it would be nearly impossible for Tennessee Democrats to win a congressional seat under the new map, though he said the effort could "backfire on the Republicans" with an unusually large Democratic registration and turnout effort.
Cohen said he would use his remaining time in Congress to oppose Trump, calling him "the greatest threat to democracy and to decorum and grace that we've ever seen." House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement that Cohen was "a powerful champion for civil rights." Memphis activists, including Tierney Macon of The Equity Alliance, said they would hold the city's new representatives accountable regardless of party.
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