Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) said Friday that he will not seek another term in Congress [3].
The decision follows a redistricting plan by the Republican-controlled state legislature that significantly altered the boundaries of the Memphis-area 9th congressional district. This move is expected to make Cohen's prospects for re-election difficult.
Cohen serves as the lone Democrat in Tennessee's congressional delegation [1]. The state's House and Senate delegation consists of 11 members [2].
The redistricting process in Tennessee has been a point of contention, as the Republican-led legislature redrew the maps to favor their party. The new boundaries for the 9th district specifically targeted the area Cohen represents, shifting the demographic and political makeup of the constituency.
Because the new map reduces the likelihood of a Democratic victory, Cohen said that the seat had become untenable. His departure marks a significant shift for the Democratic party in Tennessee, as he was the only member of his party representing the state in the U.S. House of Representatives [1].
Cohen's announcement on May 15, 2026, comes as the state prepares for the next election cycle [3]. The Republican-led redistricting plan aims to solidify GOP control across the state's congressional seats, a goal that appears closer to fruition with Cohen's decision to retire.
“Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) said Friday that he will not seek another term in Congress”
The retirement of Rep. Steve Cohen potentially eliminates the last remaining Democratic voice in Tennessee's congressional delegation. By leveraging redistricting to make a safe Democratic seat competitive or Republican-leaning, the GOP-led legislature has effectively shifted the political landscape of the state, potentially resulting in a total Republican sweep of Tennessee's federal representation.
