U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen speaks to protesters outside the state Capitol, May 5, 2026

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen speaks to protesters outside the state Capitol, May 5, 2026

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen dropped his reelection campaign Friday, essentially announcing his own retirement after 20 years representing Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District.

The state's Republican supermajority redrew the seat — which has long been a majority-Black district in Memphis protected from gerrymandering by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — during last week’s special session on redistricting.