Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
45%
44%
Democrat
Incumbent
IncumbentSteve Cohen
DemocratIncumbent
IncumbentSteve Cohen
TN-09 Democratic nominee?
$25.5K
AUG 7, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
LocationTennessee
SourcesShowHide
cohen.house.govcongress.govsalon.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgrollcall.comen.wikipedia.orgmarkey.senate.govlcv.orgtennesseestar.comeverytown.orgtranscripts.cnn.compublications.tnsosfiles.comactionnews5.comcommercialappeal.comwreg.comtennessean.comnytimes.comlocalmemphis.comballotpedia.orgquiverquant.comaxios.comsan.comnysfocus.comnj.comng.investing.comny1.comsubstack.govtrack.usdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgziplook.house.goves.wikipedia.orgdocs.house.govtransportation.house.govcha.house.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgclerk.house.govhouse.gov
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 22, 2026
Steve Cohen is in the news because he said he will end his reelection bid after Tennessee redrew his Memphis-based 9th District into three Republican-leaning districts. He has said he may reenter the race if a court challenge restores the old map. The redistricting fight has also sparked broader backlash over voting-rights changes and the future of Tennessee’s only Democratic House seat.
cohen.house.gov+35
Articles
NNNBC News1 month ago
NAACP calls for Black student-athletes to boycott Southern schools amid redistricting backlash
Neutral
ZZeroHedge1 month ago
Rep. Steve Cohen Drops Reelection Bid After Tennessee Redistricting
Negative
HHuffPost1 month ago
Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen Ends Campaign After Memphis District Redraw
Neutral
MMassLive1 month ago
Tennessee’s sole congressional Democrat won’t run again after redistricting
Negative
Polls
TN-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
TN-09 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Steve Cohen for TN-09 Democratic nominee?
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.0M
$1.5M
$991.3K
$495.7K
$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
$658.6K
$2.0M
$395.3K
$26.4K
Source: FEC