Tennessee could gain a House district if population keeps climbing

Tennessee's population continues to grow, with 215,000 people added in the past three years for a total of 7.1 million residents. Most of the growth is occurring in Middle Tennessee and around Knox County in East Tennessee.

If this rate continues, in 2030 Tennessee will likely have 10 congressional districts instead of nine. Tennessee has not had 10 congressional districts since 1950. Districts are apportioned after the U.S. Census Bureau's constitutionally mandated count that takes place every 10 years (the next one is 2030).

If Tennessee gains a seat, it would be added in time for the 2032 election.

Since Tennessee’s Black population is 16-18%, if Tennessee reaches 10 congressional districts the legislature may be required by federal law to create two majority Black districts, as occurred this year in Alabama and Louisiana. Federal courts had to force both states to do this. The current U.S. Supreme Court did not overturn these two decisions.

The 2^nd Congressional District, centered around Knoxville, would likely lose one or two of its smaller counties, such as Claiborne, Jefferson or Union.

Congressman Tim Burchett is a gift that keeps on giving for media attention.

This time, Burchett is being sued for defamation by a Kansas City-area resident who says a false tweet from the congressman caused him distress and harm.

Denton Loudermill sued Burchett on March 25 in federal court.

After a fatal shooting at a Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl celebration Feb. 14, Burchett tweeted a photo of Loudermill, falsely saying he was one of the shooters and was an illegal resident. Neither is true.

Loudermill was arrested because he was suspected of being drunk in public, and Burchett shared a photo of him in handcuffs at the parade. Loudermill was released and police never suspected he was connected to the shooting.

Loudermill, a father of three, says in the lawsuit that he had received death threats. Burchett deleted the post but never apologized.

Loudermill has requested a jury trial. If it goes to a jury trial, it will be front page news and distracting to Burchett, who might have to spend time in court away from his congressional duties.

No doubt Burchett will try to use campaign funds to handle this lawsuit, but he’ll have to determine if it’s legal to do so.

The suit will probably be settled, but Burchett could end up paying out tens of thousands or more.

Burchett also has to decide whether to hire an attorney in Kansas City or Knoxville to represent him.

All of this is so unnecessary. Burchett did it to himself. He now owes not only Loudermill but the entire 2nd Congressional District an apology. This is further sad evidence that his congressional tenure seems more about himself than how to promote middle East Tennessee.

County Commissioner Larsen Jay won all sorts of political points among the voting public with his campaign to force utility districts to remove unused or abandoned poles.

Even though his proposal to put teeth into the penalties for utilities lost, the issue was front page news and utility districts are on notice to improve or face additional negative publicity.

C J Butcher, Knox County Democratic interim party chair, is nearing the end of filling the position as the party is preparing to select its regular chair. Businessman Stuart Hohl, who ran a very close race against Commissioner Gina Oster in 2022, is the likely new party chair to be chosen April 11. Previous Knox Democratic party chair Matt Shears said, “Stuart has the qualities to be a strong successful chair. Democrats are fortunate to have him as their leader.”

Birthdays

April 11: Lillian Bean is 81. Interim U.S. Attorney Trey M. Hamilton is 52. Dale Harold is 48. Ethel Kennedy, widow of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, is 96. Attorney Joe Levitt is 92. Christina F. Magrans is 36. Former city council candidate Bentley Marlow is 43. Former second lady of Knoxville Doris Sharp is 87. Election Commissioner Eddie Smith is 45.

April 12: Attorney Bob Bowman is 55. UT Board of Trustees chair John Compton is 63. Attorney Carl Eshbaugh is 76. Georganne Guarino is 80. Bryan Langan is 44. Carol Merchant is 73. Charley A. Sexton is 47. The Rev. Jan Wade is 78. John Worden is 54.

April 13: Barbara Apking is 84. Brian Bills is 57. Scott Bird is 54. Sessions Judge Chuck Cerny is 63. Anthony Cespedes is 39. Jody Mullins is 50. Carole Overholt is 83. Janey Willoughby is 65.

April 14: Bruce Carillon is 64. Rhea Carmon is 46. Kent Carringer is 37. Attorney James N. Gore Jr. is 63. Attorney Phil Lomonaco is 73. Stephen L. Mangum is 69. Former state Rep. Eddie Mannis is 65.

April 15: Attorney Dennis Francis is 78. Raymond Jin is 20. Gus Kampas is 87. Lee Popkin is 41. Jon Ring is 39.

April 16: Keith R. Goodwin is 72. Rachel Hixson, wife of Judge Kyle Hixson, is 36.

April 17: Richard Cate is 74. John Coykendall is 81. Appellate Judge Kristi Davis is 51. Hugh Hyatt is 81. Carolyn Jensen is 86.

Victor Ashe is a former Knoxville mayor and former ambassador to Poland. He is a columnist for Shopper News. 

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee could gain a House district if population keeps climbing