New Redistricting Maps Place Wayne County in 9th Congressional District

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed new U.S. Congressional District maps into law earlier this month, reshaping representation across the state as Republicans aim to flip every congressional seat in the state red. Opposition to the map was swift and vocal, with the loudest protests coming from Democratic leaders in Memphis. Tennessee Democrats have filed a federal lawsuit calling for the new lines to be overturned, describing the map as “racially and recklessly redrawn.”

Prior to redistricting, Wayne County was part of the 7th Congressional District, represented by Congressman Matt Van Epps in the United States House of Representatives. Congressman Van Epps, a Republican, was voted into the seat in a 2025 Special Election following the retirement of former U.S. Congressman Mark Green.

The 9th Congressional District now includes a portion of Shelby County and extends along the Alabama state line to include half of Fayette County, all of Hardeman, Hardin, Wayne, Lawrence, Giles, Lincoln, Moore, Bedford and Marshall counties, along with half of Maury, half of Williamson, and a sliver of Rutherford County.

The 9th District is currently represented by longtime Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen, who has decided not to run again, leaving the seat open.

Republican candidates for the 9th District seat are Charlotte Bergmann of Memphis, State Senator Brent Taylor of Eads, Jeremy Thompson of Fayetteville, and State Rep. Todd Warner of Lewisburg.

Democrats running in the 9th District are M. LaTroy A-Williams of Memphis, State Senator London Lamar of Memphis, State Representative Justin Pearson of Memphis, and Jim Torino of Columbia.

Independent candidates include Dennis Clark of Memphis and Michelle Davis Head of Lewisburg. They will be on the ballot during the November General Election.

Early voting for the Tennessee Congressional Primary begins Friday, July 17th. Primary Election Day is August 6th. Anyone who wishes to vote in the Tennessee Congressional Primary must be registered to vote by Tuesday, July 7th, 2026. Requests for absentee ballots must be made by Monday, July 27th.