Gov. Bill Lee, joined by Republican leadership, speaks to press on the final day of the legislative session, April 23, 2026

Gov. Bill Lee, joined by Republican leadership, speaks to press on the final day of the legislative session, April 23, 2026

Gov. Bill Lee has called a special session of the Tennessee General Assembly to redistrict the state’s 9th Congressional District. Lee expects lawmakers to return to the Capitol next week, with the special session to begin on Tuesday.

The 9th is the only Democratic congressional stronghold in Tennessee following the legislature’s redrawing of the maps in 2022, which split Nashville into three separate districts. Today’s special session announcement follows a Thursday social media post from President Donald Trump, who said he would like to see the Volunteer State become fully Republican — a reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court decision dealing a blow to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. SCOTUS on Wednesday ruled that it’s illegal to draw maps based on race.