Politics
Williamson County voters enter a Memphis-centered congressional race under Tennessee’s new map
A redrawn 9th District now links parts of Williamson County with Memphis, reshaping a historically majority-Black district ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Voters in Brentwood voiced concerns about the boundaries as Justin Pearson and Brent Taylor face off for the seat.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Voters in parts of Williamson County are casting ballots in Tennessee’s newly drawn 9th Congressional District, a sprawling district that now connects communities south of Nashville with Memphis.
The change follows a map approved by Tennessee lawmakers during a special session in May. The previous 9th District was centered on Memphis and had a majority-Black population; the new boundaries split Memphis among three congressional districts and extend District 9 across southern Tennessee to include parts of Williamson County.
Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson and Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor are the major-party candidates. Independent candidates Dennis Clark and Michelle Davis Head are also on the ballot. Early voting runs through Oct. 29, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
In Brentwood, Democratic voter Tonya Jones called the prospect of Williamson County sharing a district with Memphis “pretty insane.” She voted for Pearson, saying he has had an influential impact. Republican voter Mike Crosby said he saw “no relative connection” between the communities in the new district. Crosby voted for Taylor, whom he said shared his core values.
The map has drawn criticism over its potential effect on Black political representation. Pearson has argued that dividing the former majority-Black district dilutes Black voters’ influence. Asked about that concern, Crosby said it was “hard for me to see how it didn’t.” Jones said she hoped the change would encourage more African Americans to vote, adding that it is important “for us to be seen and to be heard.”
Williamson County has traditionally leaned Republican. About 65% of its voters backed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, compared with 33% who voted for Kamala Harris, according to official election records.
John Vile, a Middle Tennessee State University political science professor, said the map was designed to advantage Republicans, but cautioned that it does not ensure a Republican win. Turnout, he said, will be an important factor.
Pearson joined Democratic candidates and voters in a lawsuit seeking to block the new boundaries. They argued that changing districts during an election year could disrupt campaigns and confuse voters. A federal judge declined to temporarily halt the map in May, and the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the suit in June.
Some residents interviewed in Williamson County said they were unsure which district they lived in, while others said they understood the changes. Voters can use the Tennessee Comptroller’s online district lookup tool to check their congressional district by address.