Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision yesterday that a 2024 Louisiana congressional map was unconstitutionally racially gerrymandered, Tennessee Republicans are calling for redistricting in the Volunteer State, arguing that the Memphis congressional district also was racially drawn. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, who both are running for governor, called on the state legislature to act quickly, according to the Daily Memphian. President Donald Trump posted on social media that he had discussed a special legislative session with Gov. Bill Lee, saying Lee “would work hard to correct the unconstitutional flaw” in the state’s map. The state’s nine-seat U.S. House delegation consists of eight Republicans and one Democrat, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, who represents most of Memphis and Shelby County. Cohen issued a statement criticizing the decision and held a press conference yesterday to address state redistricting. SCOTUSblog looks at the high court’s decision.

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance on March 31 dismissed a complaint against Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, ruling that her use of federal campaign funds falls under Federal Election Commission (FEC) jurisdiction rather than state authority. The complaint, filed by Knoxville Republican Gary Loe, alleged Blackburn improperly used her U.S. Senate campaign account to fund her gubernatorial run. According to Knox News, state officials found she did not violate state law because her governor's campaign account was not yet open when the disputed spending occurred, and because Tennessee's ban on using federal funds for state purposes only applies to direct transfers between accounts. Blackburn, who announced her gubernatorial bid in August, is running in the Aug. 5 Republican primary against state Rep. Monty Fritts and U.S. Rep. John Rose.

Cade Cothren, the former chief of staff to ex-Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada who was charged, convicted and later pardoned by President Donald Trump in a federal fraud and bribery case, told the Nashville Post on Tuesday that he intends to seek the House District 71 seat. The seat is currently held by Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown. Cothren and Casada were previously charged with federal crimes and went to trial in 2025. “I am seriously considering a run for state representative because our government has been taken over by insiders who protect themselves and punish anyone who refuses to fall in line,” Cothren told the publication, adding that he has pulled a petition related to the effort. The Tennessean reports that the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance fined Cothren $80,000 last week for eight violations tied to his Faith Family Freedom Fund political action committee, saying he misled the public and violated campaign finance rules. Cothren must pay the penalty by March 10 or he will be barred from running for office. 

DeVante Hill, an activist during the George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, announced on Martin Luther King Jr. Day that he will challenge U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, for the 9th Congressional District seat. According to the Daily Memphian, Hill announced his entry into the race at an MLK Day event at Canaan Baptist Church in Covington but it not clear if he will run in the August primaries or as an independent candidate. According to the paper, Hill was an intern in Cohen's congressional office and said he spoke with the congressman before entering the race.

Metro Council Member Joy Styles announced that she intends to run for mayor of Nashville, being the first candidate to declare for the August, 2027 election, Axios Nashville reports. Styles is in her second term representing the Antioch area on the council. Her voting record is pro-business, and she's also supported public safety measures, such as the police department's plan to create a network of security cameras owned by private businesses, Axios reports. “I'm running because Nashville needs a fighter, someone who's going to fight for you and your neighborhood. Over the last six years, I've shown what inclusive leadership looks like.” Styles said at her press announcement. According to the news source, incumbent Mayor Mayor Freddie O'Connell is likely to run, but has not entered the race officially.

Dr. Carnita Atwater picked up a petition Friday to run for Tennessee governor, Local Memphis reports. Atwater, a New Chicago resident and community advocate in Memphis, announced her candidacy on Facebook and met with supporters. She is running as a Democrat, joining a growing field of candidates according to Ballotpedia.

Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, has announced his reelection campaign for the District 26 seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Chattanoogan.com reports. District 26 includes communities such as Hixson, Stuart Heights, Rivermont, Big Ridge, Sale Creek, Shady Grove, Dallas, Possum Creek, Lupton City, Riverview, Bakewell, Lakesite, Middle Valley, Harrison, Soddy Daisy, North Shore and downtown Chattanooga. Martin, a former school board and county commission member, said he remains committed to advocating conservative policies and community-driven solutions that prioritize Tennessee families, public safety and educational excellence.

Vince Dean has announced he will seek another term as Hamilton County Criminal Court clerk, the Chattanoogan reports. First elected to the position in 2014, Dean said he is pleased to reflect on the accomplishments achieved through the efforts of his administration. One of his first goals was to make the offices he oversees more user-friendly. Dean currently serves on the board of directors for the County Officials Association of Tennessee and on the legislative committee for the State Court Clerks Association of Tennessee.

Republican Matt Van Epps prevailed over state Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, in a special election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District Tuesday, The Tennessee reports. Van Epps edged Behn by nearly nine percentage points in a district Democrats have lost by more than 20 points in recent election cycles. With more than 95% of the votes counted, Van Epps received 53.9% of the vote, while Behn earned 45.1%. Van Epps, a West Point graduate and combat veteran who worked in Gov. Bill Lee’s administration, beat 10 Republicans to win the party primary.

According to data from the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office, Davidson, Montgomery and Williamson counties saw the highest early voter turnout, with 20,951, 19,110 and 14,777 ballots cast, respectively, in a special congressional election, the Nashville Scene reports. The 7th Congressional District includes 11 counties — Stewart, Montgomery, Robertson, Houston, Dickson, Cheatham, Humphreys, Hickman, Decatur, Perry and Wayne — as well as portions of Davidson, Williamson and Benton. The special election will fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of former U.S. Rep. Mark Green and will come up for election again in one year. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST tomorrow for election day.