Tennessee State Representative Antonio Parkinson called for Memphis to secede from the state following passage of a new congressional map that eliminates the state’s only Democrat-held district, setting up a potential all-Republican congressional delegation.
Redistricting Battle Reshapes Political Landscape
Governor Bill Lee signed legislation redrawing Tennessee’s congressional districts, dividing Shelby County and Memphis among three Republican-leaning districts that extend into surrounding rural and suburban areas. The map dismantles the Memphis-centered 9th District, previously held by Democrats. Under the new boundaries, Tennessee could elect nine Republican representatives to Congress, eliminating the lone Democratic seat that had existed in the state’s delegation.
Good luck with that 🤡
“LET MEMPHIS SECEDE! You don’t have to redraw maps when
The redistricting follows recent Supreme Court guidance on electoral mapmaking. Current Representative Steve Cohen, who represents the 9th District, faces an uncertain political future under the redrawn boundaries. Republican challenger Charlotte Bergmann has emerged as a potential successor in the reconfigured district. The changes reflect Tennessee’s Republican legislative majority exercising its constitutional authority over the redistricting process, which occurs following each census.
Dramatic Response from Memphis Legislator
Representative Parkinson addressed the Tennessee House Thursday with pointed remarks about the redistricting outcome. He questioned whether Memphis should remain part of Tennessee if the legislature believes the city should not elect representatives reflecting its community preferences. Parkinson suggested the state allow Memphis to separate rather than redraw district boundaries that he believes disenfranchise city voters. His comments represent the most dramatic response yet from Democrats opposing the new congressional map.
Constitutional Authority and Political Reality
State legislatures possess constitutional authority to draw congressional district boundaries, though maps face legal challenges when violating federal voting rights protections. Tennessee’s Republican supermajority in the state legislature controlled the redistricting process. The new map reflects Tennessee’s conservative voter base, which has elected Republicans to every statewide office in recent election cycles. Democrats argue the redistricting dilutes urban voting power, while Republicans maintain the maps create competitive districts that fairly represent the state’s political composition. The secession rhetoric, while dramatic, carries no practical legal pathway under the Constitution, which provides no mechanism for cities to separate from their states.
