Tenn Gov Lee calls special session to redraw House map in GOP's favor 9-0

By Fox News · Fox News

Tennessee's redistricting special legislative session Tuesday will weigh a map that will potentially turn the state's lone blue district red before the 2026 midterms. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who is term-limited and leaving office after this year, moved quickly to call the special session after a conversation last week with President Donald Trump on the heels of the landmark Supreme Court decision that found race should not be used to dictate the drawing of legislative district maps. "We owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters," Lee wrote in a statement , announcing the session after the Trump call, expressing urgency "to comply with mandatory election qualifying timelines" and make sure a new map is "enacted as soon as possible." "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." REDISTRICTING BATTLES BREWING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS PARTIES COMPETE FOR POWER AHEAD OF 2026 MIDTERMS Notably, the map was presented Wednesday by Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who is the leading candidate to succeed Gov. Lee, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais . "I urge our state legislature to reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis," Blackburn wrote on X, sharing an image of the new Tennessee map that could give Republicans a 9-0 House delegation edge. "It's essential to cement @realDonaldTrump’s agenda and the Golden Age of America. "I've vowed to keep Tennessee a red state, and as Governor, I'll do everything I can to make this map a reality." While Lee said he made the decision after consulting with Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Secretary of State Tre Hargett, he also got encouragement from Blackburn and Trump after the S…