WHAT’S CHANGING AND WHAT ISN’T. The only lines changing as a result of the special session are those involving Tennessee’s congressional districts. So, yes, there will be a new (yet to be determined) qualifying process and deadlines for those wishing to run for Congress in the August Republican and Democratic primaries. 
However, the state boundary lines haven’t changed, so there is no need to provide a new opportunity for candidates to run for the US Senate or Governor. Similarly, state House and Senate districts have not been altered so there is no reopening of a qualification period for candidates to run for those offices either.
The time period to qualify and run will be short. So any candidate considering a race in this cycle will need to move very quickly.
WWDD? What would Democrats do if they were in control of drafting redistricting maps in Tennessee? Fortunately, we know, based on the maps they produced when they controlled the legislature just a few decades ago. Those Dems protesting at the Capitol in hysterics over the new congressional boundaries flowing from Williamson County to Memphis clearly have short memories, or are simply hypocrites.
The last time Tennessee Democrats controlled redistricting they enacted this map that connected Shelby County with Williamson, Davidson, and Montgomery counties. WWDD? They did THIS!
By the way, Democrat Congressman Steve Cohen who is leading the objections to the GOP map was state Senator Cohen (D) at the time. He voted for that map.
WHO SUPPRESSED BLACK VOTES IN MEMPHIS ON TUESDAY IN LOCAL ELECTIONS?
A common theme among those protesting the proposed GOP redistricting map this week has been the claim that Republicans are intending to suppress black votes in Memphis. Yet, voter turnout in the local Democrat primary in Shelby County this week was 11%! Did Republicans prevent 89% of Shelby County voters from voting, particularly when a highly contested Democratic county mayor primary was underway?
Voter turnout across the state was remarkably low, in both red and blue counties. Voter fatigue may be part of the issue, since Middle Tennessee voters have been called to action for a special election primary and general election to fill the seat vacated by Congressman Mark Green, plus local primary elections this week. The August primary looms followed by a November general election. Republican Rep. William Lamberth has proposed moving local elections to line up with the August and November state elections. That would relieve voters of one extra round of elections, as well as save money by eliminating the costs of separate local and state elections. Git ‘er done!
KUDOS TO THE TENNESSEE STATE TROOPERS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ON CAPITOL HILL.
The anti-redistricting protestors got loud, sometimes obscene, and frequently on the verge of losing control of their emotions as the rhetoric of many of their leaders seemed intent on inciting dangerous and perhaps violent actions. The law enforcement teams remained calm, cool and displayed friendly yet serious demeanors in the midst of the chaos. Thursday’s final protests are sure to be the most passionate yet, but hopefully the protestors and their safety vest clad handlers (who is paying them, by the way?) will keep their emotions in check and not provoke a response that could become necessary if their opposition spirals into physical violence.
Author
