All Aboard the Redistricting Roller Coaster
🗺 TN has a new Congressional map · Rep. Pearson cussed out state troopers · Nashville nightclub shuts down after multiple shootings · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. TN lawmakers pass new Congressional map... Memphis state Rep. Justin Pearson cusses out state troopers during session... Nashville nightclub shuts down after multiple shootings... And much more!
Reminder Council will be holding its meeting tonight. Tune in live starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Undoing of the West Join us May 21st for a discussion with Vauban Books and writer Nathan Pinkoski for a discussion about French writer Jean Raspail's novel The Camp of Saints. (Buy Ticket)
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Tennessee has a new Congressional District map
From Megan Podsiedlik
This morning’s special session to redraw Tennessee’s congressional map kicked off with the poignant swearing-in of T.J. Hardway, who was appointed to take the place of his late father, G.A. Hardaway, in House District 92. The commemoration quickly transitioned into an emotional roller coaster as soon as the House and Senate gaveled in.
During today’s proceedings, the Senate systematically approved the House companions of each bill, and it appears Governor Bill Lee is on standby, ready to sign them into law.
Midterms As of now, the new district lines will go into effect for this year’s midterm elections. Though Congressional candidates have already submitted their qualifying petitions, the legislation established a new qualifying deadline on May 15.
This opens up the opportunity for different candidates to enter the race. House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) recommended that candidates who have already qualified and were not displaced by the new lines should err on the side of caution and resubmit new petitions. Political parties have two days after the qualifying deadline to approve or remove candidates.
State lawmakers did not shy away from the fact that this was a political move.
“The map that you have in front of you was drafted based on the…population related to the last census, but it was absolutely drafted on politics based on court rulings,” said Representative Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville). “This gives us a unique opportunity, for the first time in history, to have an all-Republican delegation sent from Tennessee to Washington, DC, to represent conservative values, to represent conservative principles…and so we're taking advantage of that as the supermajority in this body.”
The bullhorn re-enters the chat Democrats in both the House and Senate took time during discussion to air out their grievances. While Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) tried to use time allotted to introduce his late-filed amendments to deliver his usual chastisements, House Minority Leader Karen Camper (D-Memphis) yielded time to several Democratic caucus members so they could speak their piece.
Representative Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) quoted Moses and called for Memphis to secede from the state of Tennessee when reflecting on the new lines that split Shelby County between three Districts.
“If this body believes that Memphis should not have the right to elect representation reflective of its own community, then perhaps the legislature should explain why Memphis should continue to be part of the state of Tennessee,” said Parkinson. “You don't have to redraw maps when you let us out. Let my people go!”
Representative Jason Powell (D-Nashville) asserted that the politics motivating the creation of Tennessee's new districts is racial politics.
“November 6, 2012, I was first elected to this body, and I cried tears of joy and happiness that night,” said Powell. “And it wasn't because I was elected to this body. I cried because our first black president, Barack Obama, was re-elected for his second term. I celebrated the movement and forwardness of our country, and look where we stand today.”
A cacophony of protest chants and bullhorns rang through the capitol as the House gaveled out, and the Senate disintegrated into chaos as the session came to an end.
What Horrors We Wrought In 1973, French writer Jean Raspail published one of the most controversial novels of the 20th century. His novel, The Camp of Saints, has been consistently censored throughout its history.
Vauban Books recently published a new translation of the French story, accompanied by a lucid introduction by writer Nathan Pinkoski. Join us as we discuss the legacy of this controversial novel and what it says about the West.
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
TENNESSEE'S NEW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAP
✍️ Many of the arguments against the new map revolved around the three-district split in Shelby County, claiming it disenfranchises Memphis’ black population.
Political analyst and publisher of TriStarDaily, Steve Gill, pointed out that Democrats also split Memphis 24 years ago:
Fun fact: The last time Tennessee Democrats controlled redistricting they enacted this map that connected Shelby County with Williamson, Davidson, and Montgomery counties. The same party complaining about the new map that extends all over West Tennessee linking Williamson to Memphis did this.
By the way, Democrat Congressman Cohen who is leading the objections to the GOP map was state Senator Cohen (D) at the time. He voted for this!!!
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 🤬 Rep. Justin Pearson gets into heated confrontation with THP troopers during session, brother taken into custody. “My brother ain’t doing nothing to nobody. Hey, hey, he’ll walk out by himself. Move the f*** back!” Pearson could be heard telling a trooper. “What the f*** is wrong with you?”
Pearson later took to social media to announce that THP took his brother into custody after he and other protesters reportedly refused to move after Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton directed that the gallery be cleared. (WKRN) - 🚫 La Danse Nightclub in downtown Nashville announces immediate closure. La Danse was involved in two shooting investigations in the past year. The first occurred in April 2025 and the second happened last weekend, when three people were injured after approximately 60 gunshots rang out on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard. Metro police said one of the victims died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. (WKRN)
- 🌊 Metro Council voting on million-dollar move to purchase flood-prone houses. Metro Council is voting to purchase three flood-prone properties for just over $1M in Thursday's meeting. Metro Water Services Director Scott Potter has spoken in favor of the program surrounding this acquisition in the past, saying it's in the city's best interest to eliminate future risks. MWS looks to use grants before ratepayer funds in these situations. (Fox 17)
DEVELOPMENT
- Ernest Tubb Record Shop quietly reopens following abrupt closure (NBJ)
- Music City Loop to service Giarratana towers (Post)
- Philadelphia restaurant concept set for Gulch building (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎸 Black Marble @ The Blue Room, 7p, $25.41, Info
🎸 Kara McKee @ The East Room, 8p, $13.36, Info
🎙️ Michael Feinstein's Tribute to Tony Bennett @ Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 7:30p, $36+, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
🎸 Open Mic @ Fox & Locke, 6:30p, Free, Info
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.