Data for Progress
50%40%30%20%10%0%
45%
44%
Democrat
Incumbent
IncumbentSteve Cohen
Incumbent Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Tennessee
TN-09 Democratic nominee?
$71.1K
AUG 7, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — TN-09 Democratic nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
$71.1KAUG 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age77 years old (May 24, 1949)
GenderMale
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LocationTennessee
BackgroundAttorney
EducationVanderbilt University — B.A. (1971)
Notable personal detailsStephen Ira “Steve” Cohen is an American attorney and politician who has represented Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District (Memphis area) in the U.S. House since January 3, 2007. Before Congress, he served in the Tennessee State Senate (1982–2006) and earlier was a Shelby County commissioner (1978–1980). He earned a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and a J.D. from the University of Memphis, and worked as an attorney including as a legal advisor for the Memphis Police Department.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govfec.govcohen.house.govclerk.house.goven.wikipedia.orggovinfo.govde.wikipedia.orglegisletter.orgwikizero.orgasn-online.orgmemphis.edumarketbeat.comdocquery.fec.govx.comcbsnews.comcongress.govcohenforcongress.comsalon.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgrollcall.commarkey.senate.govlcv.orgtennesseestar.comeverytown.orgtranscripts.cnn.compublications.tnsosfiles.comactionnews5.comnashvillebanner.cominstagram.comcommercialappeal.comwreg.comlocalmemphis.comnytimes.comballotpedia.orgpbs.orgthehill.comwpln.orgtennesseelookout.comnashvillescene.comyahoo.comabcnews.comms.nowyoutube.comdemocrats-judiciary.house.govjeffries.house.govjudiciary.house.govnadler.house.govcdn.ballotpedia.org
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports restoring fairness to the tax code and raising adequate revenue, including measures targeting very high-wealth individuals; has sponsored/co-sponsored legislation to tax billionaires and backed expansion of tax credits for low-income workers.
Healthcare
Supports strengthening and protecting the Affordable Care Act, opposing repeal efforts and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid; advocates expanding access to care through federal programs and increased funding for medical research and public health. Has voted for legislation and rules intended to expand coverage (including measures in Build Back Better) and has criticized proposals that would reduce Medicaid or ACA coverage.
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Immigration & Border
Supports limiting aggressive immigration enforcement and opposes deployment of ICE agents and stepped-up immigration enforcement in his district; has criticized ICE tactics and recruitment and said arrests for mere unlawful presence should not automatically lead to deportation. Advocates for transparency and accountability in ICE operations and has challenged policies aiming to force local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports legal abortion access and federal protections for those rights, has cosponsored legislation to codify Roe v. Wade and opposes efforts to restrict abortion and contraception access.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive climate action including transitioning the Tennessee Valley Authority and the grid to 100% clean energy by 2035, has cosponsored major climate legislation (including the Green New Deal and other climate bills), and emphasizes federal investment in clean energy and emissions reduction.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports banning assault weapons, closing private-sale/background-check loopholes, strengthening background checks, and enacting red flag/other gun-violence-prevention measures. Has cosponsored federal assault-weapons and background-check legislation and backed research and programs to reduce gun violence.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Steve Cohen has ended his reelection bid after Tennessee Republicans redrew his Memphis-based 9th District into three Republican-leaning districts. He says he may get back in the race if a court challenge restores the old map. The redistricting fight has also sparked broader backlash over voting-rights changes in Tennessee.
history.house.gov+47
Articles
NNNBC News3 months ago
NAACP calls for Black student-athletes to boycott Southern schools amid redistricting backlash
Neutral
ZZeroHedge3 months ago
Rep. Steve Cohen Drops Reelection Bid After Tennessee Redistricting
Negative
HHuffPost3 months ago
Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen Ends Campaign After Memphis District Redraw
Neutral
MMassLive3 months ago
Tennessee’s sole congressional Democrat won’t run again after redistricting
Negative
Latest Polls
TN-09 Democratic nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$1.8M
$1.4M
$921.5K
$460.8K
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$546.3K
$1.4M
$313.8K
$13.1K
Cycle 2024
$703.5K
$1.7M
$432.3K
$18.0K
Cycle 2026
$776.2K
$1.8M
$652.5K
$36.3K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements