The ink wasn’t even dry on the congressional redistricting map, including the newly drawn more GOP friendly 9th District, before Memphis State Senator Brent Taylor announced his bid for the seat. Taylor made the announcement on Todd Starnes’ nationally syndicated Memphis-based radio show that airs on KWAM in Memphis.
The 9th district now runs from Memphis to parts of Williamson and Maury counties while tracking across Tennessee’s southern border. Taylor’s announcement didn’t really come as a surprise since he had chosen to recuse himself from voting on approving the new map, citing a conflict of interest. He had also changed his Facebook page from Senator Brent Taylor to simply Brent Taylor.
Taylor also immediately announced the endorsements of his campaign from both Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Bill Hagerty. Taylor has previously endorsed Blackburn in her race for Governor.
Nevertheless. The field in the 9th may not be set. Representatives Scott Cepicky and Ron Gant, among others, may consider running.
Before approval of the new districts, the 9th centered in Shelby County/Memphis and was a strong “blue” district represented for the past twenty years by Congressman Steve Cohen. Cohen was facing a tough reelection battle in the district from State Representative Justin Pearson. Both Cohen and Pearson now reside in the newly drawn 5th District, currently represented by Republican Congressman Andy Ogles. Ogles has been endorsed by President Trump and the new district is much more strongly Republican than the previous composition.
The new lines for the 5th district no longer include the homes of Ogles primary opponent Charlie Hatcher, or Democrat Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder. Both have given indications that they may still seek to challenge Ogles in the new 5th district, though they now reside in the newly drawn 9th District where Taylor has announced his campaign.
