Special Session: I'd love to hear your thoughts

Well… plot twist 😅 We’ve been called back into a special session. I  want to share what I understand this special session is about—and get your feedback.

One of the primary issues under consideration is redistricting of Tennessee’s congressional seats. The special session has been called following ongoing federal court challenges to current congressional maps, where plaintiffs argue the districts may violate voting rights protections and constitutional standards. In response, there is growing pressure for the legislature to revisit and potentially redraw the maps now—rather than waiting for the next census.

I want to be transparent about some concerns I have as we head in to review the proposal which has not been disclosed yet.

1. Timing and Tennessee Law Tennessee Code (TCA 2-16-102) states that congressional districts are drawn after each census and “may not be changed between apportionments.” In a properly functioning system, representation should follow population—not mid-cycle political strategy.

2. Representation vs. Outcomes If the goal is to reflect voters, we could look at recent election results. In the last presidential election, Tennessee voters split roughly 60% Republican and 40% Democrat. A proportional approach would reflect that balance more closely than a map designed for a single-party outcome. That said, once we start trying to engineer “perfect fairness,” we open a much bigger question—what is truly fair?  That’s why there’s a strong argument for leaving the process tied to the census, as intended, rather than adjusting maps mid-cycle.

Even when we disagree politically, our system was designed to be representative—and there are times we do find common ground. For example, bipartisan agreement occurred on issues like removing  liability protections for pesticide manufacturers —something the MAHA movement fought against to ensure manufacturer accountability.

We don’t have to see every disagreement as a battle. Where we agree, we should work together. Where we don’t, we should have honest, respectful debate. That’s how the system is supposed to work.

3. People Over Party The stated goal of creating a 9–0 congressional delegation raises a bigger concern. Our responsibility is to represent people first—not parties. Even George Washington warned about the dangers of prioritizing party over the will of the people.

4. Free and Fair Elections As John Adams said, “The very ground of our liberties is the freedom of elections.” Any action that appears to predetermine outcomes risks undermining that principle.

5. Tennessee Values Tennesseans value hard work, integrity, and fairness. We should be careful not to compromise those principles in how we govern.

6. The Simple Test If the party roles were reversed, would we think this was right? It’s a question worth asking.

7. Unintended Consequences Another concern is the potential for unintended consequences. We already see crossover voting in primaries, but a significant redrawing of congressional districts could increase that out of frustration. Without closed primaries, voters can participate in the opposite party’s primary—potentially influencing outcomes by selecting more moderate candidates or even shaping who ultimately represents the district.

Additionally, dividing up a heavily Democratic district doesn’t automatically guarantee stronger Republican representation—it can dilute Republican votes across multiple districts. In a lower-turnout midterm election, that could actually put more than one seat at risk rather than secure them.

I’m listening, learning, and weighing this carefully—and I genuinely want your input.

What do you think? Should redistricting happen mid-cycle, or wait until after the next census? Hit the button below to take the survey. 

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Thank you for your continued support and in helping shape these important decisions. It’s an honor to serve you.

Gratefully,

Rep. Michele Reneau