(The Center Square) – The Tennessee General Assembly redrew the state's congressional district lines in hopes of having a Republican congressional delegation but lost a close race in the 4th District.
The map carved Memphis and Shelby County into three districts, a move Republicans said was designed to give them all nine congressional seats.
Results from the secretary of state's office show that Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor defeated Democrat Justin Pearson in the new 9th Congressional District. Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Memphis, the only Democrat in Tennessee's nine-member congressional delegation, represented the old district but did not seek reelection.
Republicans also won in the new 5th and 8th congressional districts. Former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher defeated Democrat Chaz Molder and independents James A. Johnson and Micheál O'Leary in the 5th District. The seat is currently held by Rep. Andy Ogles, who lost to Hatcher in the Republican primary.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. David Kustoff held on to his 8th district post, defeating Democrat Heidi Kuhn and independents Adam D. Austill, Wendell "Wells" Blankenship, Antonio Futch, Pamela Jeanine "P." Moses, Horace Taylor and Henry J. Ward III.
But Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais lost his 4th District seat to Democrat Victoria Broderick, who unsuccessfully ran against him in 2024. The difference was 280 votes.
In Tennessee, recounts aren't automatic, but candidates can contest an election to force a recount.
The congressional delegation will have another new member. Republican state Rep. Johnny Garrett won the 6th District race, defeating Democrat Mike Croley and two independent candidates. Current U.S. Rep. John Rose made an unsuccessful run for governor.
U.S. Rep. Matt Vann Epps, who won a special election to fill the seat of former U.S. Rep. Mark Green, won his first full term. He defeated Democrat Darden Copeland.
In other races, Republican U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger held on to her 1st District post, defeating Democrat Kristi Burke.
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican, defeated Michaela Barnett for his 2nd District seat.
Incumbent Republican Chuck Fleischmann bested Democrat Anna Golladay in the Third District.
