As Tennessee lawmakers are moving quickly to advance a new congressional map, The Tennessee Star’s CEO and editor-in-chief, Michael Patrick Leahy, argued that aggressive redistricting reflects a necessary political strategy for Republicans across the nation.
On day two of the anticipated three-day special legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly, state Republicans released a proposed new congressional map that, among other changes, would divide Memphis into three districts, effectively eliminating the state’s lone Democratic district.
During Wednesday’s edition of The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, Leahy and Tea Party Nation Founder Judson Phillips discussed the broader strategy behind the new proposed map, defending partisan redistricting and predicting swift legislative and likely unsuccessful legal action.
Leahy framed the controversy from the political Left surrounding the proposed map as overblown, arguing that partisan map-drawing is deeply rooted in American governance.
“Political gerrymandering is legal, constitutional… and has been around for over two centuries in America,” he said, adding that “the state legislatures get to determine what their districts will look like.”
Phillips agreed, saying, “It was put into the Constitution that way,” and dismissed criticism from opponents of the plan as politically motivated, pointing to similar Democratic-led efforts in states like California and Virginia.
Pointing to protests and backlash from Democrats, he said, “Your outrage is very selective,” while Leahy added, “It’s clearly partisan.”
With Republicans holding supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly, both Leahy and Phillips suggested the proposal is likely to pass quickly.
Looking ahead, Phillips predicted legal battles over the map, noting how “a crazy federal judge” may move to enjoin the map.
Leahy, however, downplayed the long-term legal risk.
“They could enjoin it, but they’ll lose on appeal,” he said, expressing confidence that higher courts would ultimately uphold the map.
Leahy and Phillips also connected Tennessee’s redistricting effort to a broader national Republican strategy, with Leahy pointing to similar efforts in other states, saying, “We’re playing hardball here in Tennessee… in Florida… in Texas, Alabama, and about to play hardball in South Carolina.”
Phillips endorsed that approach, arguing Republicans should fully leverage redistricting power where possible.
“Two can play that game,” he said, again referencing what he described as decades of aggressive Democratic gerrymandering.
Phillips went further, suggesting that widespread Republican-led redistricting could dramatically reshape Congress.
“If we redistricted… [Republicans’ majority in the House] would be something like 269 to 176. It’d be a huge majority,” Phillips said. “Let’s do it.”
Leahy echoed that sentiment bluntly, noting, “Winning means winning. That’s it. That’s the bottom line.”
The pair’s discussion also touched on political consequences for lawmakers who resist redistricting efforts. Citing Tuesday’s primary losses for multiple incumbent Republicans in Indiana who blocked previous redistricting efforts, Leahy argued that GOP voters are demanding a more aggressive approach.
“You vote wrong, and the voters kick you out, buddy,” he said, referencing comments from defeated State Senator Travis Holdman, who attributed his loss Tuesday to “revenge and retribution” from voters
Phillips added that elected officials often lose touch with their role, saying, “So many of these politicians don’t realize… their actual job title is representative, to represent.”
Tune in now to The Michael Patrick Leahy Show – your AMERICA FIRST news talk!
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https://t.co/3o20k21Rp0— Michael Patrick Leahy (@michaelpleahy) May 6, 2026
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X.
