Tennessee Republican lawmakers passed a new U.S. House congressional map on Thursday that redraws the majority-Black Ninth District centered on Memphis, eliminating the state's last Democratic-held seat.

The Tennessee General Assembly gave final approval to the plan during a special session called by Governor Bill Lee, who signed it into law the same day despite protests from Democrats and civil rights advocates. The legislation also repealed a 1972 state law prohibiting mid-decade redistricting, paving the way for the changes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The map splits Shelby County, home to Memphis, into three districts: parts of the new Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth. Previously a Democratic stronghold with a -42.66% partisan lean based on 2024 presidential results, the Ninth District now shifts to +33.42% Republican-leaning. All nine Tennessee districts become Republican-leaning under the plan. The changes also redraw boundaries around Nashville, distributing its voters across three districts.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton defended the map, stating the Supreme Court ruling allows states to prioritize partisan politics over race in redistricting, promoting a "colorblind" approach and reducing future legal risks. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn called it a step toward conservative leadership.

The effort follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision on April 29 in Louisiana v. Callais, which struck down a Louisiana map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander and weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The ruling raised the threshold for proving racial vote dilution, enabling Republican-led states to pursue partisan maps. President Donald Trump spoke with Governor Lee the day after the decision, urging a redraw to eliminate the Democratic seat and support Republican goals ahead of the midterms.

Democrats protested vehemently during the session. State Senator Raumesh Akbari warned that history would judge lawmakers harshly, while Representative Steve Cohen, who has held the Ninth District since 2007, called it a "blatant, corrupt power grab" and announced plans to sue. Protesters locked arms in the Senate chamber, chanted from the galleries, and disrupted proceedings with air horns, leading Republican leaders to adjourn quickly.

Republicans hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers, ensuring passage without Democratic support. The map opens candidate qualifying until May 15, with primaries set for August 6. Legal challenges are expected, but proponents argue that it aligns with the court's emphasis on non-racial criteria.

Tennessee's move is the first post-ruling redraw, with other Southern states like Alabama and Louisiana considering similar actions to bolster Republican representation.