Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District has been dramatically redrawn, now spanning from Memphis through rural areas toward Nashville. The remodeled district is a focal point in the 2024 midterms, with Republican state senator Brent Taylor and Democrat state representative Justin Pearson set to compete for the seat.
The new 9th District is central to Trump’s effort to preserve all nine of Tennessee’s congressional seats. Redistricting followed a Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act’s protections for minority voters. Previously a majority-Black urban district, the 9th District has been fragmented by Republican-led mapmaking. An Associated Press estimate shows more than 70% of voters are new to the district, shifting its political character from Democratic to Republican.
Memphis voters have criticized the changes, arguing the redistricting reduces their political influence. The redrawn boundaries split Shelby County across three districts, extending into rural areas. The new 9th District travels 200 miles (320 km), crossing through regions near Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Memphis, once a concentrated hub, is now diluted into multiple districts, raising concerns about diminished representation for communities of color.
In other Tennessee races, Senator Marsha Blackburn won the GOP primary for governor, defeating Bill Rose. Blackburn will replace outgoing Republican Governor Bill Lee, who is term-limited. On the Democratic side, Memphis city council member Jerri Green captured the gubernatorial nomination. A major surprise came in the 5th District, where Charlie Hatcher, a former agriculture commissioner, defeated Rep. Andy Ogles. Ogles, backed by Trump, is a House member and Freedom Caucus member, but lost to Hatcher.
Hatcher, who lacked Trump’s endorsement but gained support from Governor Lee, ran as a pro-Trump candidate with a focus on rural issues. His campaign website emphasized, “Think what President Trump could do if our congressman spent less time talking and more time doing,” highlighting Hatcher’s belief in his ability to advance Trump’s policies.
Ogles has faced legal scrutiny, including an FBI probe into his campaign finances that led to his phone being seized in 2024. The Justice Department recently returned the device, indicating the case was dropped. The loss is rare for Trump, who has seen most of his primary-endorsed candidates succeed. Ogles’s defeat signals a shift in Tennessee politics and raises questions about the effectiveness of Trump-backed candidates.