Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen drops reelection bid after redistricting in Tennessee
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee announced he is retiring and will not seek reelection in the state's ninth congressional district, a seat he has held since 2007.
- Cohen's decision comes after Tennessee's GOP-controlled legislature redrew district boundaries, splitting Memphis into several districts that lean more Republican.
- Cohen, Tennessee's only Democrat in Congress and a fourth-generation Memphian, said the new districts are very different from the majority African-American ninth district he has represented.
- During his tenure, Cohen served on key House committees and was a strong advocate for civil rights, policing reform, and racial justice, including leading the first formal congressional apology for slavery.
- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Cohen's long-standing commitment to equality and justice, highlighting his impact on Memphis, Congress, and the nation.