Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) is escalating the redistricting battle, urging Tennessee lawmakers to craft a congressional map that would leave no room for Democrats. In a post on X Wednesday, the GOP senator—who is also running for governor—called for a special legislative session to redraw the state's House lines, with the goal of flipping the Memphis-based seat currently held by Rep. Steve Cohen (D).
“I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis,” Blackburn wrote, sharing a map that depicted all nine of Tennessee's congressional districts in red. “It’s essential to cement @realDonaldTrump’s agenda and the Golden Age of America,” she added.
Blackburn, who is seeking the governor's mansion, vowed to “do everything” in her power to make the all-GOP map a reality. The move would build on the GOP's existing dominance in the Volunteer State, where Republicans already hold eight of nine House seats. Cohen, a Democrat, won reelection in 2024 with 71% of the vote, but his district would be dismantled under Blackburn's proposal.
Tennessee's current map was drawn in 2022 by the Republican-controlled legislature, which split Nashville—a Democratic stronghold—into three red-leaning districts. That decision forced then-Rep. Jim Cooper (D) into retirement after two decades in office, and the GOP flipped those seats. Now, Blackburn is pushing for a mid-cycle redraw, a tactic that has become increasingly common as both parties jockey for advantage ahead of the November midterms.
The push in Tennessee mirrors a broader national trend. Last summer, President Trump pressed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) to overhaul that state's map, resulting in a new congressional plan that the Supreme Court recently upheld. Since then, Republicans have enacted new maps in North Carolina and Missouri, while Democrats have gained ground through redrawn lines in California and Virginia, as well as a court-ordered map in Utah. Three other states—Maryland, South Carolina, and Washington—have introduced legislation to authorize new maps, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Florida is the next major battleground in the redistricting war. State lawmakers convened this week for a special session called by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who released a map Monday aimed at giving the GOP four additional House seats. The Florida House approved the new congressional lines on Wednesday, sending the measure to the state Senate. The Florida redistricting push has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who warn it could backfire on the GOP.
The tit-for-tat over redistricting comes as Republicans defend a razor-thin House majority. The redistricting endgame in Virginia and Florida is already setting the stage for a midterm showdown, with both parties seeking every possible advantage. Blackburn's call for an all-GOP map in Tennessee is the latest salvo in this ongoing battle, underscoring the high stakes of the 2026 election cycle.
