Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) announced he will not seek re-election after the Tennessee legislature redrew his congressional district [1].
The decision marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Memphis, as one of the state's most prominent Democrats exits the House due to partisan redistricting. The move highlights the impact of map manipulation on incumbent viability in the U.S. South.
Cohen announced the decision on Friday, May 10, 2024 [2]. He said that the Republican-controlled legislature split his majority-Black district into three Republican-leaning districts [1]. This division of Shelby County into three separate districts [4] has effectively dismantled the 9th Congressional District's previous composition.
"This morning, I announced my decision not to run in any of the three gerrymandered congressional districts carved out of the 9th District that I have represented for more than 19 years," Cohen said [2].
Cohen has represented the Memphis-based district for more than 19 years [2]. He said that the state's newly drawn congressional map has made it virtually impossible for him to win re-election [3].
The Tennessee congressional delegation consists of 11 members across the House and Senate [5]. The redistricting process in the state has been a point of contention, as the new boundaries significantly alter the electoral strength of Democratic candidates in urban centers.
By choosing not to run, Cohen avoids a contested race in a district designed to favor the opposing party. His departure leaves a vacuum in the representation of the Memphis area, where the 9th District previously served as a stronghold for Democratic interests in a predominantly Republican state.
“The state's newly drawn congressional map has made it virtually impossible for me to win re-election.”
The retirement of Rep. Steve Cohen illustrates the effectiveness of 'cracking'—a redistricting strategy where a concentrated pocket of voters is split into multiple districts to dilute their voting power. By dividing a majority-Black Democratic stronghold into three separate districts, the Tennessee legislature has successfully reduced the number of viable Democratic seats, shifting the balance of power within the state's congressional delegation.
