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Dem Demands Secession After Tennessee GOP Pass New Congressional Map

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Tennessee state capitol building
Photo Credit: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

A Democratic lawmaker in Tennessee is calling for Memphis to break away from the state after Republicans approved a new congressional map expected to wipe out Tennessee’s last Democratic House seat.

“Let Memphis secede from the state of Tennessee,” state Rep. Antonio Parkinson declared Thursday as outrage exploded inside the Capitol over the Republican-backed redistricting plan.

“Let my people go. I’m dead-a– serious. If you’re constantly beating on us, let us out,” the Memphis Democrat said after lawmakers advanced the map during a chaotic special session.

The overhaul restructures Memphis by splitting the heavily Democratic city into three Republican-leaning congressional districts, a move likely to unseat longtime Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen and hand Republicans a clean sweep of Tennessee’s House delegation.

Republicans framed the map as a reflection of the state’s conservative political makeup. Democrats called it an outright racial gerrymander.

The fight detonated inside the Tennessee Capitol as protesters packed the galleries, screaming over lawmakers while activists waved signs reading “Black Voters Matter” and “Say No To Jim Crow 2.0.”

At one point, an air horn blasted through the chamber as lawmakers attempted to vote. Democrats later linked arms and walked out after the measure passed.

The House approved the map 64-25, while the Senate later passed it 25-5 largely along party lines.

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Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed the measure into law shortly afterward.

Parkinson, who represents part of Shelby County, later argued the battle had grown far beyond district boundaries.

“This is about whether Memphis, a majority-Black economic engine for this state, is expected to continue contributing billions in tax revenue, culture, labor and commerce while being systematically stripped of political power,” Parkinson told Memphis station WMC-TV.

He accused Republicans of disguising political retaliation behind procedural language.

“The people of Memphis deserve the ability to choose a representative who reflects their community, then at least have the courage to say it plainly,” Parkinson said. “Do not hide behind maps and procedure.”

Tennessee’s current congressional delegation includes eight Republicans and one Democrat, Cohen, who has represented Memphis for nearly two decades.

Under the new map, Memphis would be carved apart into multiple districts stretching deep into Republican territory. Cohen blasted the proposal before the vote.

“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 wrote on X.

“It’s a blatant, corrupt power grab that would destroy the black community’s and our entire city’s voice.”

After the legislation passed, Cohen accused Republicans of intentionally dismantling minority political influence.

“And just like that, the TN GOP voted to enforce a racial gerrymander of Memphis and strip our city of effective representation for decades,” he posted.

“Trump knows he HAS TO rig the game to keep his majority in November. And the TN GOP was willing to go along with it. It’s shameful.”

Republicans openly acknowledged the map was designed to strengthen GOP control in Washington.

State Sen. John Stevens, the Republican sponsor of the legislation, told lawmakers the plan would “maximize Republicans’ ability to win nine seats in the upcoming midterm elections.”

As he spoke on the Senate floor, protesters outside the chamber shouted “liar.”

“The goal of this legislation is to support the national Republican Party’s ability to maintain the majority in the United States Congress,” Stevens said.

Earlier Thursday, Stevens defended the map as politically appropriate for a red state.

“Tennessee is a conservative state, and I submit its congressional delegation should reflect that,” he said.

Republican state Rep. Jason Zachary celebrated the map as a turning point for Tennessee conservatives.

“For the first time in Tennessee’s history, we will have 9 Republican Congressmen and 2 Republican Senators representing our great state at the nation’s Capitol,” Zachary said.

“This represents our state’s strong conservative principles and TN values.”

The redistricting push followed a Supreme Court ruling that determined several majority-Black districts created under the Voting Rights Act amounted to unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.

That decision triggered new redistricting efforts across several Southern states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Tennessee Republicans moved quickly after Lee called a special legislative session. The fight inside Nashville quickly spiraled beyond the map itself.

Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson popped off during a confrontation with state troopers after the vote concluded.

Witnesses inside the Capitol captured Pearson shouting profanities at officers as tensions boiled over.

“The f**k is wrong with you? You stupid motherf***ker,” Pearson yelled while troopers surrounded him.

Republicans defended the map as necessary to align Tennessee’s congressional delegation with the political lean of the state.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn praised both Trump and Lee after the measure cleared the legislature.

“It’s a great day for Tennessee! Thank you to President [Donald Trump] for leading the charge, Governor [Bill Lee], and to the legislators who worked quickly and diligently to make this possible,” Blackburn wrote on X.

“This is how we cement President Trump’s agenda and usher in America’s Golden Age here in Tennessee, and how we become America’s conservative leader.”

The Tennessee battle is part of a broader national fight over congressional maps heading into the 2026 elections.

Virginia Democrats recently backed a redistricting effort that could expand their advantage in the state’s congressional delegation, though the plan is now tied up in court.

Florida Republicans approved a separate map earlier this month expected to net the GOP four additional House seats.

The U.S. Supreme Court also upheld Texas’ latest congressional map Monday, a decision Republicans believe could add five more GOP seats in the House.

South Carolina Republicans are now weighing another redistricting fight targeting Democratic Rep. James Clyburn’s district.

Clyburn accused Republicans of trying to dismantle the state’s only Democratic House seat under pressure from Trump.

“Republicans are trying to break apart South Carolina’s 6th District. Not because voters demanded it, but because Donald Trump requested it,” Clyburn wrote on X. “We cannot let them succeed.”

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Clark Kelley

2 Comments

  2. I wonder what his position has been about red counties seeking to secede from blue states.
    Actually, I don’t. I an sure he opposes that.

    Reply

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