Tennessee legislators approved a new congressional map on Thursday that may jeopardize the state’s last Democratic seat in Congress. This adjustment in the legislative boundaries could eliminate the last Democratic stronghold in Washington and solidify a Republican delegation of 9-0, raising concerns about the representation of Black voters in Memphis.
Despite mixed reactions from Democrats, the Republican majority went ahead and sent the map to Governor Bill Lee for his signature. The new map specifically targets the 9th Congressional District, which is the only predominantly Black district in Tennessee and the last bastion for Democrats.
Republican lawmakers contend that this change accurately reflects the political landscape of Tennessee, which has leaned more conservative in recent elections. They argue that the new direction aligns with the state’s increasing Republican trends.
Tensions escalated as House Democrats expressed their opposition. During the vote, they employed air horns to disrupt the proceedings, leading to chaos in the chamber and the intervention of Tennessee State Police, who had to manage the crowd and protestors.
Democrats criticized the map as a blatant attack on minority representation. State Senator London Lamar (D-Memphis) denounced the redistricting plan as a “political monopoly,” declaring that, although Republicans may have the votes, they lack the moral authority to proceed. She referred to the move as an affront to the Black community, indicating that it “awakens a sleeping giant.”
Similarly, State Senator Charlaine Oliver (D-Nashville) argued that Tennessee is not genuinely a red state, but rather a gerrymandered one, highlighting the oppressive nature of the current political climate in the state.
The proposed map was introduced as part of a larger redistricting initiative backed by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who is considered a potential candidate for the governor’s position in the future.
In a previous statement, Blackburn called for the state legislature to reconvene and add another Republican seat in Memphis, emphasizing her commitment to maintaining Tennessee’s reputation as a red state. A legal challenge has already been launched by the Tennessee chapter of the NAACP, asserting that the new map undermines Black voting power and targets the only majority Black district in the state.
