Redistricting special session to reshape Tennessee’s congressional districts

Lawmakers and activists link arms and walk down the capitol steps after the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Dawn Harrington sits next to, Nashville Councilwoman, Zulfat Suara after the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, walks out of the House Chamber and burns a photo of the Confederate Flag with the words “We Will Not Go Back” on the third day of a special session concerning redistricting at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton looks as votes are cast while as Democratic representatives link arms together on the House floor on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. Jason Powell D- Nashville walks out from the House Chamber on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Democratic lawmakers embrace outside the senate doors on the last day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. William Lambert R- Portland speaks as Democratic representatives link arms together on the House floor on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Democratic senators and representatives take a group photo on the last day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Sen. Charlane Oliver D- Nashville looks down while listen to Sen. London Lamar D- Memphis talk about how proud she is of her on the last day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Democratic representatives walk off the House floor together on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Representatives are escorted down the steps on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Democratic lawmakers stand in prayer after the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Democratic lawmakers stand in prayer after the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. Jeremy Faison R- Cosby says The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

People yell from the balcony as representatives are escorted out on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. Justin Jones D- Nashville, walks out of the House Chamber burns a photo of the Confederate Flag with the words Ò We Will Not Go BackÓ on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. Justin Jones D- Nashville, stomps out the photo of the Confederate Flag with the words Ò We Will Not Go BackÓ that he burned after walking out of the House Chamber on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building n Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

A paper Confederate flag burned by Rep. Justin Jones D- Nashville with the words Ò We Will Not Go BackÓ that he burned after walking out of the House Chamber on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building n Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Democratic lawmakers pray and embrace after walking out of the House Chamber on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Democratic representatives walk off the House floor together on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Protesters yell from the House gallery as they are escorted out by State Troopers under orders from House Speaker Cameron Sexton on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. Gino Bulso R- Brentwood, on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

KeShaun Pearson, (brother to Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis) is escorted out by State Troopers under orders from House Speaker Cameron Sexton to clear the gallery on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Representatives look on as the gallery is cleared by State Troopers under the orders of House Speaker Cameron Sexton, on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

KeShaun Pearson, (brother to Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis) is escorted out by State Troopers under orders from House Speaker Cameron Sexton to clear the gallery on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

KeShaun Pearson, is embraced by his brother Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis after being arrested after refusing to leave the House Gallery as State Troopers, under orders from House Speaker Cameron Sexton, cleared the gallery on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

KeShaun Pearson, raise his fist after being arrested after refusing to leave the House Gallery as State Troopers, under orders from House Speaker Cameron Sexton, cleared the gallery on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. Justin Pearson D- Memphis, raises his fist in support as his brother, KeShaun Pearson, is arrested after refusing to leave the House Gallery as State Troopers, under orders from House Speaker Cameron Sexton, cleared the gallery on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Protesters refuse to leave the House gallery as they are asked to leave by State Troopers under orders from House Speaker Cameron Sexton on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessean State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Representatives are lead in a prayer on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Rep. William Lamberth R- Portland talks to Rep. John Ray Clemmons D- Nashville on the third day of special session concerning redistricting at The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Representatives walk through Cordell Hull State Office Building as they head up to the third day of the special session to redraw congressional maps for Tennessee at the State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Protesters walk through Cordell Hull State Office Building as they head up to the third day of the special session to redraw congressional maps for Tennessee at the State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Representatives and protesters walk through Cordell Hull State Office Building as they head up to the third day of the special session to redraw congressional maps for Tennessee at the State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, May 7, 2026.