Tennessee Speaker Cameron Sexton wants to turn Memphis red. He might succeed.
Speaker Cameron Sexton's Memphis plan may be aspirational, but not impossible. His opponents should realize that he is dead serious about wanting to extend the GOP's reach firmly across Tennessee.
By: David Plazas
Nashville Tennessean
Published 9:18 a.m. CT June 18, 2024
David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee.
Thirty years ago, Republicans won key elections for governor and two U.S. Senate seats that started the state on a path to become deeply politically red.
Congressman Don Sundquist won the governorship after eight years under Democrat Ned McWherter. Dr. Bill Frist defeated incumbent Sen. Jim Sasser. Actor and lawyer Fred Thompson bested former Congressman Jim Cooper in a special election for a seat once held by then-Vice President Al Gore.
Since 1994, only one of four Tennessee governors has been a Democrat, Phil Bredesen, and Republicans have maintained their hold on both Senate seats and developed a super majority in the state legislature.
Meanwhile, only one of nine U.S. House districts is currently held by a Democrat − District 9, represented by Congressman Steve Cohen of Memphis.
But now, Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton says he wants it all.
At the 47th annual Tennessee Republican Statesmen’s Dinner on June 15, Sexton said: “One day we will turn Memphis red again. And I know that day is coming very soon.”
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, presents the Legislator of the Year Award to Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, during the Tennessee Republican Party’s Statesmen’s Dinner at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Some might call those comments mere political posturing, but there are already signs that Republicans will try to make good on Sexton's vow.
Going after DA Steve Mulroy appears to play into the grand plan.
Prior to 2023, Tennessee had two Democratic congressional districts. Cohen's Ninth District and the Fifth District, represented for 20 years by Jim Cooper, which used to include all of Nashville, another blue dot in Tennessee's sea of red.
WITH YOUR HELP, WE WILL WIN, TURN MEMPHIS RED, THUS TURN TENNESSEE RED.
John, we are excited to announce that our dynamic Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Cary Vaughn, and Second Vice Chair Naser Fazlullah have already made commitments to purchase tables at the Douglass Lincoln Brunch. We also have commitments from many other supporters who understand the need to win this election.
With your help, Tennessee will have a delegation of 9 congressional members who will vote to advance President Trump's and the Republican agenda in 2025.
