The Tennessee state legislature passed the state’s new congressional map Thursday as part of a multistate Republican redistricting push unleashed after the Supreme Court’s reinterpretation of the Voting Rights Act.
The Tennessee legislature first repealed a decades-old state law preventing lawmakers from redistricting between censuses as the first step in an effort to turn another seat in the state’s House delegation red. The new map now only needs Gov. Bill Lee’s (R-TN) signature to take effect.
In both chambers, Democratic lawmakers protested the bill by blaring airhorns, waving signs, shouting at Republican members, and leaving the chamber.
“Don’t do this! We can adjourn right now!” state Sen. London Lamar shouted as the vote progressed. “This is some bulls***! Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves!”
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Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis) walks with his brother KeShaun Pearson, as he is arrested and removed from the House gallery Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) -
A woman protests outside the House chamber Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) -
State Sen. London Lamar (D) holds a copy of the proposed congressional map for Tennessee Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Madison Thorn/Bloomberg via Getty Images) -
Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) left, speaks with Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville) right, Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) -
KeShaun Pearson is arrested and removed from the House gallery Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) -
Deonte Williams stands outside a House committee hearing room after it was cleared by state troopers Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed Republican-led state legislatures to redistrict ahead of the midterm elections as he faces widespread voter disapproval. Lee vowed to redistrict the Volunteer State to give Republicans “one extra seat” after a meeting with the president last week.
“We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters,” Lee said after the meeting. “After consultation with the Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, I believe the General Assembly has a responsibility to review the map and ensure it remains fair, legal, and defensible.”
The new map would split the Democratic hub of Memphis among three congressional districts, diluting the city’s blue voters and changing the Republican-dominated House delegation from 8-1 to 9-0.
The redistricting push follows the Supreme Court decision restricting the consideration of racial demographics in congressional mapmaking in Louisiana v. Callais. Several red states, including Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and South Carolina, moved quickly to redistrict after the court’s ruling.
Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) has defied Trump’s wishes and ruled out a redistricting push for the 2026 electoral cycle, promising a new map before the 2028 elections. The governor supported the Supreme Court’s decision but argued that “voting is already underway for the 2026 elections.”
RED OR BLUE? GOP AND DEMOCRATS EYE NEXT GERRYMANDER TARGETS AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING
Kemp has faced increasing pressure from Georgia Republicans to redistrict before the midterm elections, as Peach State congressmen and GOP leaders have publicly pressed him on the issue.
Trump’s influence among Republicans remains strong, as demonstrated in Indiana on Tuesday. Out of seven GOP state senators who voted against the state’s redistricting push, five were ousted, with one surviving and one race remaining too close to call.
