A heated political fight over congressional maps in Tennessee took a dramatic turn Thursday, as a Democratic lawmaker openly called for Memphis to break away from the state following the passage of a new Republican-backed redistricting plan.
State Rep. Antonio Parkinson made the striking remark after the GOP-controlled legislature quickly approved new district lines that were later signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee. The map reshapes the state’s congressional districts in a way that divides Tennessee’s only majority-Black district, a move that could jeopardize the state’s sole Democratic-held seat in Washington.
“Let Memphis secede from the state of Tennessee,” Parkinson said, expressing frustration with what he described as a broader pattern of political marginalization. He argued that the issue goes beyond the technicalities of redistricting, framing it instead as a question of whether Memphis residents are being denied meaningful representation despite their economic contributions.
Parkinson, who represents part of Shelby County, emphasized that Memphis serves as a major economic driver for the state, contributing significant tax revenue, labor, and cultural influence. Yet, he suggested, the city is being “systematically stripped of political power” under the new map. He also challenged state leaders to be more transparent, saying that if officials believe Memphis voters should not have the ability to elect a representative aligned with their community, they should say so directly rather than rely on procedural maneuvers.
This is not the first time Parkinson has floated the idea of secession. He made similar remarks in 2018, citing budget cuts he described as punitive and tied to tensions following the removal of Confederate statues in the city.
At the center of the current dispute is the restructuring of the 9th Congressional District, long represented by Steve Cohen. The Memphis-based district, previously the state’s only majority-Black district, will now be divided into three separate districts under the new plan. Nashville will also see its political landscape altered, with its districts further split.
Supporters of the map point to a recent decision by the Supreme Court involving Louisiana, where a congressional map featuring a second majority-Black district was ruled an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. That ruling prompted a broader reassessment of district lines, including in Tennessee.
Donald Trump and other Republican leaders praised the court’s decision, framing it as a correction of constitutional issues. Trump noted he had spoken with Gov. Lee about addressing what he called flaws in Tennessee’s maps.
Democrats, however, see the situation differently. Cohen blasted the new map as “shameful” and pledged to challenge it in court, arguing that it effectively dilutes the voting power of Memphis residents and could reshape representation for years to come.
The clash highlights a growing divide over how political lines are drawn and who ultimately benefits. While redistricting battles are nothing new, the rhetoric surrounding this one underscores deeper tensions about representation, fairness, and the balance of power.
In the end, the calls for secession may be more symbolic than practical, but they reflect a level of frustration that continues to simmer. As legal challenges loom and political rhetoric intensifies, the dispute serves as another reminder of how high the stakes can be when control over representation is on the line—an internal conflict that, while not fought on a battlefield, still carries lasting consequences for the communities involved.
[READ MORE: Mace Sounds Alarm on Congressional “Slush Fund,” Calls for Accountability in Wake of Scandals]
