Tennessee Republicans put redistricting squeeze on Democrats, combine Knoxville district

Tennessee Republicans put the squeeze on Knoxville's two Democratic state representatives when the Senate voted along party lines Wednesday to push Reps. Gloria Johnson and Sam McKenzie together in a newly redrawn District 15.

The final map now awaits Republican Gov. Bill Lee's approval, a near certainty. The new districts created by Republicans under the once-a-decade redistricting process will significantly damage Democrats' ability to win state legislative seats.

Even before the map was redrawn, Johnson pledged not to run against McKenzie if they were placed in the same district.

"We've had a Black representative there, and I believe that we need to retain that diversity in Knox County with our legislators," Johnson told Knox News.

She called the redrawing "pure politics," noting that only a few blocks from her neighborhood were drawn into District 15. But this won't keep her from running again.

Parts of District 13, which Johnson currently represents, were drawn into multiple other districts. She plans on moving soon to one of these other districts and will make her decision about where she's moving by the end of the week.

Some of the homes she is considering are less than one mile from her current residence.

McKenzie said he respects Johnson's decision and strategy.

"Knoxville is not a totally red county," McKenzie told Knox News. "And for (Johnson) to understand that the best chance for an African American to hold a seat in Knox County is in the 15th District — she said since the beginning she would not run against a minority candidate, and I appreciate that."

REDISTRICTING DRAWS COMPLAINTS: Tennessee redistricting bill leads to complaints of gerrymandering | Georgiana Vines

ELIMINATION GAME: Knox County's two Democratic legislators face elimination game in redistricting | Ashe

McKenzie said he expects "several lawsuits" once Lee signs the redistricting plan, calling Republicans "shortsighted" when it comes to the need for diverse representation in Knox County.

"(Johnson and I) are great friends, we're great colleagues, we work on a lot of the same issues," McKenzie said. "So, we'll just continue business as usual."

Tennessee Democrats say they're preparing a legal challenge to the plans, which includes a redraw of U.S. House districts in Davidson County, Nashville's home county, that experts say will significantly alter the state's political landscape at the federal level, as well.

In the state House map, Republicans targeted multiple Democratic seats, drawing together incumbents in urban districts in the Knoxville and Memphis regions.

Several Republican districts have been drawn together, but the majority include incumbents who are not seeking reelection.

Former House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, is paired with Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, in House District 65 that now covers west Williamson County, and Rep. Bruce Griffey, R-Paris, is paired with Rep. Jay Reedy, R-Erin, in House District 74. Neither Casada nor Griffey are seeking reelection this year.

In the state's West Grand Division, Democratic state Reps. Torrey Harris and London Lamar were put into the same district by eliminating Harris' District 90.

“It sends a strong message when you combine the two youngest representatives into one district, diluting a successful pool of young leadership,” Lamar said.

In House District 10, Reps. Jerry Sexton, R-Bean Station, and Rick Eldridge, R-Morristown, ended up in the same district.

Contact Melissa Brown at mabrown@tennessean.com and Ryan Wilusz at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Final Tennessee Republican redistricting map clears Senate