Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Wednesday called on Tennessee lawmakers to reconvene and redraw the state’s congressional map in a way that would eliminate its lone Democratic-held House seat, a push that comes amid a broader Republican redistricting effort nationwide.
Blackburn’s appeal followed a Supreme Court ruling earlier in the day that struck down a Louisiana congressional map. The decision, which critics warned could weaken key protections under the Voting Rights Act, has sparked immediate speculation about how aggressively states may move to redraw districts ahead of the midterms. (RELATED: Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Congressional Map)
Sen. Blackburn moved quickly to capitalize on the ruling.
“I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis. It’s essential to cement @realDonaldTrump’s agenda and the Golden Age of America,” she wrote on X.
“I’ve vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I’ll do everything I can to make this map a reality,” Blackburn added, sharing a proposed map that would give Republicans control of all of the state’s congressional districts.
Tennessee’s current nine-member House delegation includes eight Republicans and one Democrat — Memphis-based Rep. Steve Cohen.
Mediaite reported that the Volunteer State already has one of the most aggressively drawn congressional maps in the country. Following the 2020 census, Republican lawmakers redrew district lines in 2022 to divide the Nashville metropolitan area into three separate districts, a move widely criticized for diluting Democratic and minority voting power and flipping a previously Democratic-held seat.
Blackburn’s comments come as the Florida legislature moves forward with Governor Ron Desantis’ new Congressional map proposal.
Florida currently has a 20-8 Republican edge in its congressional delegation, but the new map that DeSantis is proposing aims to create a 24-4 GOP advantage.
The Hill reported that the House map quickly advanced out of committees in both the Florida Senate and Florida House on Tuesday .
On Wednesday, both the full Florida Senate and Florida House voted to pass the congressional lines, and the map will now head to the Governor’s desk for his swift signature. The Senate passed the map 21-7 Wednesday afternoon.
READ NEXT: Illegal Immigrant Charged After Violent Park Attack Leaves Toddler Injured
