Tennessee Republicans pass a map to break up the state's lone Democratic House seat

"Tennessee is represented by eight Republicans and one Democrat. The state is the first to pass a new congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court last week weakened the Voting Rights Act's protections against racial discrimination in redistricting. Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee then called a special legislative session, targeting the 9th Congressional District held by Democrat Steve Cohen."

"State Rep. Justin Pearson, a Memphis Democrat who had been challenging Cohen in a primary, called the new district maps "racist tools of white supremacy." Tennessee GOP lawmakers defended the new map, saying their goal is partisan, to send an all-Republican delegation to Washington, D.C."

"Republican lawmakers in other southern states, including Louisiana and Alabama, are moving to eliminate other majority-Black, Democratic-held districts in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision. Before last week's ruling, Republicans likely held a narrow lead in mid-decade redistricting by a few seats over Democratic counter-efforts. Now that lead could double, to perhaps six or seven seats."

Tennessee became the first state to pass a new congressional map after the Supreme Court weakened Voting Rights Act protections against racial discrimination in redistricting. Republican Governor Bill Lee called a special legislative session to target the 9th Congressional District held by Democrat Steve Cohen. The new map splits Shelby County, home to majority-Black Memphis, into three separate districts. Democrats protested and walked out during legislative votes, with State Rep. Justin Pearson calling the maps "racist tools of white supremacy." GOP lawmakers acknowledged their goal is partisan, aiming to send an all-Republican delegation to Washington. The primary is scheduled for August 6. Other southern states with Republican leadership are similarly moving to eliminate majority-Black Democratic districts following the Supreme Court's decision.

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