Retirement Announcement from Rep. Steve Cohen

Representative Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee, revealed on Friday that he will not be running for re-election. This decision comes in the wake of Tennessee’s new congressional map, which has eliminated the state’s only Democratic-majority district.

The recently approved map redraws Memphis’s boundaries, effectively stripping the 9th District—Cohen’s current representation—of its Democratic edge. During a press conference, Cohen expressed his disappointment, stating that the new 9th District bears “no resemblance” to the area he has served for nearly two decades, which has historically been a majority African-American district.

“It’s been an honor to represent the 9th District for the past 19 and a half years,” Cohen said, reflecting on his tenure.

This change in the congressional landscape has drawn attention, especially with the redistricting efforts in the Memphis area. The map splits Shelby County, placing only 31% of its black voters into one of three newly defined districts. Interestingly, some Republican state representatives joined their Democratic colleagues in voting against the new map.

Cohen, who was first elected to the House in November 2006, is one of many lawmakers navigating a shifting political landscape as states redraw maps ahead of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Other states like Florida and Texas are also seeing shifts that may favor Republicans, raising questions about the impact of these changes on future elections.

In Virginia, recent attempts to challenge gerrymandering faced setbacks when the state Supreme Court invalidated a Democratic proposal aimed at gaining extra seats. This has prompted some political discussions about potential reforms in the state’s judiciary, particularly concerning the retirement age for justices.