Tennessee GOP releases new map that splits up blue hubs
Republicans in Tennessee’s state legislature released a new congressional map on Wednesday that would split Memphis’s congressional district and possibly give the GOP an additional seat.
TL;DR
- Tennessee Republicans released a new congressional map that splits Memphis's congressional district.
- The map could give the GOP an additional seat in the House of Representatives.
- The redistricting follows a conversation between President Trump and Governor Bill Lee.
- A Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act gives states more freedom in redrawing maps.
- The current map favors Republicans 8-1, with the 9th Congressional District being the sole Democratic-voting district.
- The proposed map would shift the 9th District to southern Tennessee and split Shelby County into three districts, dissolving Rep. Steve Cohen's district.
- Nashville's congressional districts would also be reconfigured.
- The 3rd Congressional District and areas west of Knoxville would also see shifts.
- Cities like Chattanooga, Knoxville, Johnson City, and Murfreesboro would remain intact.
- Republicans face a tight deadline before the midterm elections, potentially leading to legal challenges.