Tennessee primaries test new redistricting map ahead of 2026 midterms

Tennessee’s recent party primaries have served as the first substantive test of the state’s newly redrawn congressional district map, a strategic reconfiguration completed in May to bolster Republican prospects ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The redistricting effort, which followed a US Supreme Court decision in April that weakened protections for minority voters under the federal Voting Rights Act, resulted in the dissolution of the state’s only majority-Black district in Memphis. With Republicans currently holding eight of the state’s nine congressional seats, the party is positioned to potentially secure a clean sweep of all districts in November’s general election.

The primary results underscored the significant political shifts enabled by the new boundaries. In a notable upset within District 5, former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated incumbent Representative Andy Ogles. Ogles, who had received the endorsement of President Donald Trump, faced widespread condemnation for discriminatory remarks against the Muslim community, including a March social media post stating that pluralism is a lie. Hatcher, a fifth-generation dairy farmer, will now face Democrat Chaz Molder in the general election.

Senator Marsha Blackburn secured the Republican nomination for governor after defeating US Representative John Rose. Blackburn is set to succeed Governor Bill Lee, who is barred from seeking re-election due to term limits. If elected in November, Blackburn would become Tennessee’s first female governor, facing Democratic nominee Jerri Green, a Memphis City Council member. The victory consolidates Republican control over the state’s executive branch, a position the party has held since 2011.

The redistricting process heavily impacted District 9, which was previously centred on Memphis but has been redrawn to stretch approximately 320 kilometres east towards Nashville. The new configuration is estimated to be 71 percent new voters and tilts Republican. State Senator Brent Taylor won the Republican nomination for this district and will face Democrat Justin Pearson. Pearson, who gained national prominence in 2023 after being expelled from the Tennessee House for gun control protests before being re-elected, framed the election as a response to the erosion of Voting Rights Act protections.

In other key races, State Representative Johnny Garrett won the Republican nomination for the open District 6 seat, defeating Van Hilleary. Garrett will face Navy veteran Mike Croley, who won a five-way Democratic primary. Meanwhile, incumbent Senator Bill Hagerty won his Republican primary unopposed and will face Democratic candidate Marquita Bradshaw, an environmental and human rights activist. Hagerty remains heavily favoured in the Republican-leaning state, which has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1994.