Tennessee Rep. Steve Cohen Retires Following Controversial GOP Redistricting
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen announced his retirement from Congress after Tennessee Republicans redrew district maps, dismantling his Memphis-based 9th District. Cohen, the state’s sole Democratic representative, criticized the move as a partisan power grab designed to dilute Black voting power and secure GOP gains. While he intends to leave public life, he is challenging the map in court and may reenter the race if successful. This event highlights intensifying national battles over gerrymandering and voting rights following recent Supreme Court decisions impacting electoral dynamics.
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Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen Tears Up After Redistricting Ends Reelection Bid
Tennessee Representative Steve Cohen, the last remaining Democrat in the state's congressional delegation, emotionally announced his decision to withdraw from the upcoming reelection race. During an interview with NewsNation, Cohen broke down in tears while discussing the impact of recent mid-decade redistricting efforts by Tennessee Republicans. The new map, signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, effectively dismantled Cohen's majority-minority 9th District, splitting it into three Republican-leaning constituencies. Cohen argued that continuing his campaign would be futile given the altered demographic landscape, describing the move as detrimental to democracy. He criticized Republican leaders for prioritizing political gain over community representation, particularly noting the historical support he received from the African-American community in Memphis for nearly two decades. Cohen also referenced past personal controversies but emphasized that the structural changes to his district left him with no viable path to victory. This development marks a significant shift in Tennessee's political landscape, eliminating Democratic representation in the state's House delegation ahead of the August primaries.
New York PostJewish Rep. Steve Cohen Will Not Run for Reelection After Tennessee GOP Redraws District
Representative Steve Cohen, a Jewish Democrat from Tennessee, has announced he will not seek reelection after the state's Republican-led legislature redrawn his Memphis-area congressional district. The new map splits his majority-African-American district, which has been his seat since 2006, into three separate districts. Cohen described the move as a targeted effort to defeat him, citing racist and unethical intent in diluting the Black voting population. He also criticized Republican Representative Andy Ogles for referring to him as an "old, white Jewish guy." While Cohen left open the possibility of running if a pending lawsuit by the Tennessee Democratic Party successfully blocks the new maps, he appears resigned to retirement. This development highlights a broader trend where Jewish Democratic lawmakers, including several in Florida, face tougher reelection battles due to mid-decade redistricting efforts aimed at strengthening the GOP's House majority. Cohen emphasized his strong support among Black voters in Memphis despite initial skepticism about a white candidate representing the district.
JPost.com - The Jerusalem Post - All News from the Middle East, Israel, and the Jewish WorldRep. Steve Cohen Ends Reelection Bid Following Tennessee Redistricting
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has announced he will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, ending a nearly 20-year congressional career. The decision follows the Republican-controlled Tennessee legislature's approval of a new congressional map during a special session in May 2026. This redistricting effort significantly alters Cohen’s longtime 9th District in Memphis, splitting its majority African American population across multiple Republican-leaning districts. Cohen stated that the new district lines no longer resemble the community he has served since 2007 and described the legislative maneuver as a "gangster move" influenced by national Republican strategies. Critics and civil rights advocates have condemned the map as gerrymandering aimed at eliminating the state’s only Democratic seat and diluting Black voting power ahead of the 2026 midterms. Although legal challenges were filed, a judge recently denied a temporary restraining order against the new maps. Cohen, who resides in the newly drawn 5th District, endorsed Democrat Chaz Molder for that seat, while his former primary challenger, Justin Pearson, intends to continue campaigning in the redrawn 9th District.
ZeroHedge NewsDemocratic Rep. Steve Cohen Drops Reelection Bid After Tennessee Redistricting
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has officially ended his campaign for reelection. This significant political decision follows a recent vote by Republican lawmakers in the state legislature to redraw congressional district lines. The new map splits up the Memphis-based district that Cohen has represented for nearly two decades. The redistricting effort, driven by the GOP majority, effectively dismantles the constituency base that has supported Cohen throughout his long tenure in Congress. By fragmenting the district, the legislative changes alter the political landscape, prompting Cohen to withdraw from the upcoming election cycle. This development highlights the ongoing impact of partisan gerrymandering and redistricting battles in the United States, particularly in Southern states where control of state legislatures allows the majority party to shape electoral outcomes. Cohen's departure marks the end of an era for the Memphis district and underscores the strategic use of redistricting as a political tool by Republican leaders in Tennessee to consolidate power and reduce Democratic representation in the region.
Home - CBSNews.comTennessee Democrat Steve Cohen Retires After Redistricting Splits District
Longtime Tennessee Democratic Representative Steve Cohen has announced his retirement at the end of his current term, citing the aggressive redistricting of his Memphis-based congressional district. Cohen stated that the new map, drawn by the Tennessee state assembly, was specifically designed to defeat him by splitting his majority-minority district into three separate parts. This development follows a landmark Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which ruled that race-conscious redistricting under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is unconstitutional. Cohen is the first Democratic representative to retire in the wake of this ruling. The new congressional map raises concerns that Republicans could flip Tennessee's only Democratic-held seat. Civil rights groups and Cohen have filed lawsuits challenging the new boundaries. Fellow Democrat Rep. Bennie Thompson criticized the move as destroying the community of interest in Memphis. Cohen's departure marks him as the 22nd House Democrat to decline reelection in this midterm cycle, signaling significant shifts in the political landscape following recent judicial decisions on voting rights.
ABC News: Top StoriesTennessee Democrat Steve Cohen to Retire After Redistricting Splits District
Longtime Tennessee Democratic Representative Steve Cohen has announced his retirement at the end of his current term, citing the recent redistricting of his Memphis-based congressional district as the primary reason. Cohen stated that the new map, drawn by the Tennessee state assembly following the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Louisiana v. Callais, was specifically designed to defeat him. The ruling declared race-conscious redistricting under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, leading to the fragmentation of Cohen's majority-minority 9th district into three separate parts. This move makes Cohen the first Democratic representative to retire in the wake of this judicial shift. Civil rights groups and Cohen have legally challenged the new map, arguing it dismantles the community of interest in Memphis. Fellow Democrat Rep. Bennie Thompson criticized the changes as butchering the district. Cohen's departure marks him as the 22nd House Democrat to forego reelection in this midterm cycle, potentially allowing Republicans to flip the seat.
ABC News: Top StoriesTen-Term Democrat Steve Cohen Drops House Reelection Bid After Tennessee Redistricting
Representative Steve Cohen, a ten-term Democrat representing the Memphis area of Tennessee, has announced that he will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives. The decision follows actions by Tennessee’s Republican-controlled legislature to redraw the state’s congressional map, effectively breaking up Cohen’s district. Cohen described the situation as the most difficult moment of his elected career and submitted a letter to Nashville requesting removal from the ballot. This political development occurs in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The ruling not only mandated changes to Louisiana’s congressional map but is widely interpreted as significantly undermining Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The redistricting effort in Tennessee is seen as a direct consequence of this shifting legal landscape regarding voting rights and district boundaries. Cohen’s departure marks a significant change for the Democratic party in Tennessee, highlighting the ongoing tensions between state legislatures and federal voting protections.
The Independent WorldDemocratic Rep. Steve Cohen to Retire After Tennessee Redistricting
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has announced he will not seek re-election in the upcoming fall elections. This decision follows a controversial redistricting effort led by the Republican-controlled state legislature and Governor Bill Lee, which significantly altered the boundaries of Cohen's Memphis-based 9th Congressional District. Cohen stated that the new maps effectively gerrymandered his district into three parts, a move he criticized as an attempt to silence the Black vote in Memphis to secure Republican victories. The redistricting occurs in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's ruling in Callais v. Louisiana, which limited the use of race in drawing congressional districts and weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act. This legal shift has enabled lawmakers in several Southern states to redraw maps in ways that eliminate majority-Black, Democratic-held seats. Cohen, who has represented the district for over 19 years, declared he would not run in any of the newly configured districts resulting from this legislative action.
NBC News Top StoriesRep. Steve Cohen Won't Seek Re-Election After Tennessee Redistricting
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has announced that he will not seek re-election for another term in Congress. This decision follows the Tennessee state legislature's redrawing of congressional district maps, which significantly altered his longtime Memphis-area district, the 9th Congressional District. Cohen, who has served since 2007 and is the sole Democrat in Tennessee's 11-member congressional delegation, stated that the new boundaries were specifically designed to defeat him. The revised map, signed into law by Republican Governor Bill Lee on May 7, splits the previously solidly Democratic district into three Republican-leaning areas. Despite his announcement, Cohen emphasized that he is not quitting voluntarily and is currently challenging the new map in court. He indicated that he would re-enter the race if his lawsuit successfully restores the original district boundaries. Tennessee is scheduled to hold its primary elections for the House and Senate on August 6. This development highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding gerrymandering and electoral map changes in the United States.
New York PostTennessee Democrat Steve Cohen to Retire Amid GOP Redistricting
Representative Steve Cohen, a liberal Democrat from Tennessee serving his 20th year in Congress, has announced his retirement at the end of the current term. This decision marks him as the first significant casualty of the Republican Party's aggressive redistricting efforts leading up to the November midterm elections. Cohen, who is approaching his 77th birthday, strongly criticized the Republican strategy, describing it as an orchestrated power grab aimed at diluting Democratic influence. His departure highlights the intensifying political battles over district boundaries and their impact on incumbent lawmakers. As a long-serving member of Capitol Hill, Cohen's exit underscores the shifting dynamics within Tennessee's political landscape and the broader national context of partisan maneuvering before the midterms. The announcement serves as a key indicator of how redistricting campaigns are shaping the electoral field, forcing established politicians to reconsider their tenure in the face of altered constituency maps designed to favor opposing parties.
Just In NewsTennessee Democrat Steve Cohen Retires After GOP Redraws District Map
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen has announced his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives following the Tennessee state legislature's decision to redraw congressional district maps. The new map effectively eliminates Tennessee’s 9th congressional district, which currently covers Memphis and its suburbs and serves as the state's only Democratic stronghold. The redistricting plan splits the predominantly Black and Democratic voting base into three rural-leaning districts expected to favor Republicans, thereby granting the GOP all nine of the state's House seats. Cohen, who has served since 2006 and is the first Jewish representative from Tennessee, described the situation as the most difficult moment of his career. Although he considered running in a different district, he chose to retire. State Representative Justin Pearson, who had challenged Cohen for the nomination, will continue his campaign in the newly configured 9th district. Cohen made critical remarks about Pearson's campaigning style during his announcement. This move is viewed as a strategic effort by the Tennessee Republican Party to consolidate power and remove Democratic opposition from the congressional delegation.
The New RepublicTennessee Democrat Steve Cohen Retires After GOP Redistricting Eliminates His District
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen has announced his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives following Tennessee's Republican-led redistricting efforts, which effectively eliminated his district. Cohen, who has represented Tennessee’s 9th congressional district since 2006, stated that the new legislative map carves up the predominantly Black and Democratic voting base of Memphis into several rural areas expected to lean Republican. This restructuring removes Memphis proper from any single district, thereby dissolving the state’s only Democratic-held seat and potentially granting Republicans control over all nine congressional seats in Tennessee. Cohen described the situation as the most difficult moment of his career. Although he considered running in a different district, he ultimately decided to retire upon his term's expiration. The redistricting also impacts State Representative Justin Pearson, who had planned to challenge Cohen but will now run in the newly redrawn 9th district. Cohen, the first Jewish person to represent Tennessee, faced previous criticism regarding his representation of a majority-Black district, but maintains he would have won the primary against Pearson.
The New RepublicRep. Steve Cohen Ends Reelection Campaign After Tennessee District Redraw
Democratic Representative Steven Cohen of Tennessee has announced the end of his reelection campaign, citing unfavorable redistricting changes to his Memphis-based congressional district. The decision follows the enactment of a new U.S. House map by Tennessee Republicans, which dismantles Cohen's majority-Black district in an effort to bolster the GOP's chances in the upcoming midterm elections. This move aligns with former President Donald Trump's strategy to maintain a slim majority in the House. Cohen, who has served for nearly twenty years and is one of the few remaining white Democrats in the South, stated that while he is not a quitter, the new districts were explicitly designed to defeat him. He is currently challenging the redistricting in court and indicated he would reenter the race if the lawsuit successfully restores his original district boundaries. A longtime member of the House Judiciary Committee, Cohen has focused on voting access and civil rights throughout his career. The announcement highlights the intense political maneuvering and legal battles surrounding post-Supreme Court decision redistricting efforts across the United States.
ABC News: Top StoriesTennessee Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen Retires After Redistricting
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has announced his retirement from Congress at the end of the current term, effectively ending his bid for reelection. Cohen, who has represented Tennessee's 9th congressional district since 2007, made the decision following significant redistricting efforts by the Tennessee legislature that altered the boundaries of his Memphis-based district. At 76 years old, Cohen is currently the only Democrat serving in Congress from Tennessee. He described the announcement as the most difficult moment of his career as an elected official. Although he considered running in one of the newly drawn districts, he concluded that they were fundamentally different from the 9th district he has long represented. Consequently, he stated his intention to retire from public life entirely. This development marks a significant shift in Tennessee's political landscape, removing its sole Democratic voice from the U.S. House of Representatives. The decision highlights the ongoing impact of legislative redistricting on incumbent politicians and party representation in the state.
Home - CBSNews.comTennessee Rep. Steve Cohen Announces Retirement After GOP Redraws District
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 following the Republican-led state legislature's redrawing of congressional districts. The new map splits his longtime Memphis-based 9th District, which was majority-Black, into three heavily Republican seats. Cohen, the sole Democrat in Tennessee’s congressional delegation, stated that the remaining portions of the district no longer represent the community he has served for ten terms. Although he faced a primary challenge from State Representative Justin Pearson, Cohen cited the structural changes as the primary reason for his departure. This redistricting occurred after a recent Supreme Court ruling limiting the use of race in drawing district lines. While a judge denied a temporary restraining order against the new map, legal challenges persist. Cohen indicated he might reconsider his retirement if courts ultimately rule in favor of restoring the original district boundaries. The newly configured 9th District is rated as Solid Republican, with several GOP candidates already vying for the seat. Cohen’s decision marks the end of a nearly fifty-year political career representing the Memphis area.
Roll CallTennessee Rep. Steve Cohen Announces Retirement After GOP Redraws District
Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 following the Republican-led state legislature's redrawing of congressional district maps. The new map splits his longtime Memphis-based 9th District, which was a majority-Black constituency, into three heavily Republican seats. Cohen, the sole Democrat in Tennessee’s congressional delegation, stated that the remaining portions of the district no longer represent the community he has served for nearly half a century. This redistricting effort followed a recent Supreme Court ruling limiting the use of race in drawing district lines. Although Cohen and other plaintiffs sought a temporary restraining order against the new map, a judge denied the request, allowing the August primary filing deadline to proceed. However, Cohen indicated he might reconsider his retirement if future court rulings restore the original district boundaries. Meanwhile, state Representative Justin Pearson has launched a campaign for the redrawn seat, while several Republicans, including State Senator Brent Taylor, are competing in what analysts rate as a Solid Republican race.
Roll Call