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Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) stands on her desk and displays a banner in protest of congressional redistricting, May 7, 2026

Lawyers for state Sen. Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville) have sent a letter to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) seeking to have “all punitive measures” rescinded following the senator’s protest during the final moments of May’s special session of the state legislature.

During the session, state Republicans redrew the only Democratic stronghold in the state — the 9th Congressional District, which centered on Memphis and was Tennessee’s only majority-Black district.