Image Credit: Gov. Bill Lee / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
On Friday, May 1, Governor Bill Lee officially called a special legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly to review and potentially redraw Tennessee’s congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that districts can no longer be created using race-based metrics.
Following a conversation with President Trump last Thursday, the Governor’s office announced the session will begin Tuesday, May 5, to “formally review the state’s congressional map following the renewed nationwide action around congressional representation.”
“We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters,”said Gov. Lee. “After consultation with the Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, I believe the General Assembly has a responsibility to review the map and ensure it remains fair, legal, and defensible.”
The release also emphasizes that, “In order to comply with mandatory election qualifying timelines and ensure Tennesseans have reflective representation, any change to Tennessee’s congressional map must be enacted as soon as possible.”
Several Republican members of the legislature have expressed enthusiastic support for the special session reviewing the map, which may result in the only Democrat district in the state being dismantled as minority population densities are no longer a key factor in drawing the lines.
“The US Supreme Court has ruled Tennessee’s current map for congressional representation unconstitutional. The legislature must redraw the districts. It’s official. Next week, we will return to Nashville to fulfill that duty,” posted Republican Senator Adam Lowe.
Rep. Johnny Garrett, who is also running for the U.S. House, wrote, “I’m excited to get to work on Tuesday to support [President Trump] by sending more Tennessee to DC and getting rid of the radical democrat Rep. [Steve] Cohen.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn, who is a gubernatorial candidate, has been championing a special session since the SCOTUS ruling and continues to back the redistricting, writing, “Grateful to President Trump and Governor Bill Lee for their commitment to our state’s conservative values, and it was an honor to help lead the charge alongside them. Now, I’m hopeful the Republican supermajority in the legislature will act and make certain we add another Republican seat-I have your back 100%. I’m not slowing down. As governor, I’ll make sure Tennessee is America’s conservative leader.”
In contrast, Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kinston-District 32), also a candidate for governor, does not seem overly enthused by the upcoming session, saying in a social media video, “Governor Lee doesn’t have a really good track record in calling special sessions. Our liberties have not prevailed when he writes a call, so that concerns me.”
“But if we’re going to do it, how about you Tennesseans get on the phone and your email and how about you write all of the leadership, and how about you demand that we remove the 4% grocery sales tax as part of this stupid special session we’re about to do. How about you demand that we reform property taxes in Tennessee so that we don’t tax against unrealized capital gains, because that’s unconstitutional. And how about we make it so in Tennessee you don’t feel like you’re renting your own doggone property…how about we fix those things. And one last, let’s put the cherry on top of this sundae, if these punked-out politicians are going to call us back into special session, how about we also demand a full constitutional carry… How about we stand up for the average Tennessean rather than another political power play executed by a bunch of people who have lost touch with the average Tennesseans. That’s my challenge to you, friends,” he entreated.
Pushback is definitely to be expected from Democrats, particularly those representing the Memphis area as they have decried the SCOTUS decision as “racist” and likened the Republican push to redistrict in several states to a “new Jim Crow South”.
Multiple Southern states are working to quickly adjust or redraw their maps under the new parameters including Texas, which just had their maps upheld by SCOTUS, Florida which passed their new maps within hours of the SCOTUS decision, and Alabama which will also head into a special session next week.
The Department of Justice announced it will enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling in every state with racially gerrymandered districts. “The [Justice Department] under [Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche] continues to prioritize equal protection of the laws for ALL Americans, be it in employment, housing, education- and voting” stated U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon last Thursday.
This will be the second consecutive year the Governor has convened a special session, with last year’s focused on implementing Lee’s school voucher program and increased disaster relief in the wake of 2024’s Hurricane Helene. Thus far, the addendum to the 2026 session is slated to only focus on the congressional map, though the agenda could be amended as lawmakers return to Nashville this week.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
