United States Rep. Steve Cohen ended his bid for reelection to Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District.
Cohen announced he would not run in any of the districts now represented in the new districting map. The lawmaker has represented the 9th district for more than 19 years in Congress.
Cohen released the following statement:
“This morning I announced my decision to not run in any of the three gerrymandered congressional districts carved out of the 9th District I have represented for more than 19 years.
Last week, Tennessee Republicans silenced the Black vote here in Memphis to make Republican victories likely.
We are still fighting, and if we prevail in the courts and the 9th District remains intact, I will remain a candidate and will be proud to represent you for another two years.
If not, it has been the honor of my life serving you, and you can count on my representation until my final day in office and beyond.”
This announcement comes a week after members of the Tennessee General Assembly returned to Nashville for Gov. Bill Lee’s special session to redraw congressional lines. This move split the city of Memphis into three gerrymandered districts, reconfiguring the historically Democratic District 9.