Tennessee's lone House Dem fumes over GOP 'power grab'

Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Tennessee's lone Democratic member of the House, fumed over the Republican redistricting proposal to eliminate his Memphis-based seat on Wednesday.

Republicans on Wednesday unveiled their proposal the redraw the state's maps in a way that created a clean sweep of Republican-leaning districts. The move followed a Supreme Court decision that struck down race-based congressional districts and narrowed its interpretation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

"This is insane.

The GOP's newly proposed TN Congressional maps would have people in Shelby County all the way to Williamson County—200+ miles apart—being 'represented' by the same Congressman," Cohen posted on X.
"It's a blatant, corrupt power grab that would destroy the Black community's and our entire city's voice."

Republicans in the state, however, have insisted that the redraw is about creating a "color-blind" slate of maps.

"The Supreme Court has opined that redistricting, like the judicial system, should be color-blind," posted Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton. "The decision indicated states can redistrict based off partisan politics. Today, Tennessee joins other red and blue states in redrawing their congressional maps."

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.