Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), the sole Democrat in Tennessee’s congressional delegation, broke down in tears announcing his decision to drop his reelection bid after redistricting all but ensured he had no path to victory.
Cohen lamented the Republicans’ revamping of the Volunteer State’s 9th district, which is majority minority, and railed against redistricting as “bad for democracy.”
Tennesse Dem Steve Cohen tears up on air after redistricting destroys his reelection bid https://t.co/gIByGpPRTX pic.twitter.com/0jbaqZMc5T
— New York Post (@nypost) May 17, 2026
“I’m upset by this,” the now-outgoing Democrat bemoaned to NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo on Friday evening.
“And I don’t get the criticism of stand and fight.”
“Why would you fight when they changed the district and there aren’t enough votes for you to win? That’s silly.”
While discussing the ordeal, Cohen began to cry.
“It’s funny, my press conference today is the most cameras I think I’ve had since the Victoria incident. And here we are again. And I got tears,” Cohen reflected.
According to the New York Post, the “Victoria incident” is allegedly a reference to the wild controversy in 2013 when it was revealed that a woman named Victoria Brink, whom he claimed was his biological daughter, was shown in a paternity test not to be his.
Cohen also reflected on the fact that he is a white man representing a black majority district. Republicans moved to carve it up in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s gutting of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
“I’ve got a great district, wonderful people. They’ve supported me so well,” the congressman said.
“You know, it’s an amazing thing that the African-American community supported me for 20 years as they did.”
“And the Republicans don’t see it, and they just tear it apart because they have no perspective of caring about African-Americans or caring about people getting together and anything nice that happens. It’s a tough sport, and they play it tough.”
Take a look —
Cohen, who has repped the Memphis-centred district since 2007, also accused retiring Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) of caving to pressure from President Trump and Republicans in DC to squeeze out another House seat for the party.
Lee had signed the new map into effect on May 7, which rearranged the 9th District into three new Republican-leaning districts.
Tennessee’s primaries are slated for Aug. 6.