Tennessee leaders weigh killing Memphis' blue district

NASHVILLE — Tennessee House and Senate leadership are mulling the decision to call a special session to redraw the state's Congressional districts, flipping its sole Democratic district red ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections. The question stems from a Wednesday Supreme Court decision that weakened a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — originally passed to prohibit racial discrimination in voting. In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court ruled that states are no longer required to ensure racial minorities have a Congressional district in areas where they make up the majority of voters. That means Tennessee's Ninth Congressional District, a blue district mostly located in Memphis, could be on the chopping block. In Tennessee, a special session can be called by either the governor or the House and Senate leaders if they have enough support from rank-and-file lawmakers. Gov. Bill Lee did not respond to inquiries from Six Rivers Media as to whether he intends to call a special legislative session on the matter. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said he is in talks with the White House and "other individuals" as they review the Supreme Court decision. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said he will be talking with GOP leadership over the next few days to determine how feasible redistricting would be with the August primaries on the horizon. "With the filing deadline passed and qualified candidates already running for election, redistricting congressional seats at this time would present several logistical challenges," McNally said, noting Tennessee's current map is "a strong, fair and legal map which has withstood court scrutiny." The Cook Political Report, a prominent, non-partisan election analysis organization, said the state would have to move quickly if it hopes to circumvent hurdles and establish a new map ahead of the primaries. Other roadblocks exist, too — namely, state lawmakers up for reelection in November will have to halt their campaign activities and head back to Nashville after the General Assembly gaveled out only last week. It may be difficult to get everyone on board — especially in addition to the other "logistical challenges" noted by McNally. U.S. Senator and gubernatorial hopeful Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, expressed support for redistricting in a social media post in which she said the move was "essential" to President Donald Trump's "Golden Age of America." Her post was accompanied by a picture of a proposed redrawn map in which every district is held by Republicans. "I've vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I'll do everything I can to make this map a reality," Blackburn wrote. Tennessee House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, echoed Blackburn's comments in a similar post. If Tennessee punts redistricting this year, Blackburn's comments imply she may take up the task next year, should she be the one sitting in the Governor's office. Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, said the move would amount to "voter disenfranchisement" for Black Memphians. "It is voting discrimination, full stop," Akbari said in a release. "No legislator who believes in democracy should pick up this torch." Redistricting efforts have ramped up across the country following President Donald Trump's repeated calls for states to redraw their Congressional districts to help Republicans maintain control of the legislature ahead of the midterms this November. Republicans currently hold a 217-214 majority in the House, though historically, the president's party nearly always loses seats during midterm elections.