Where Democrats see signs of hope in Tennessee for 2026
Tennessee's 5th Congressional District, which was home to Nashville and its suburbs in the 2020 election, had historically been held by Democrats. Republicans redrew the lines before the 2022 midterms, carving the city into three districts — the 5th, 6th and 7th — combining Nashville voters with reliably Republican voters in rural areas. While Tennessee has been a reliably red state, some Democrats see reasons to be optimistic, particularly in the 5th and 7th Districts, for the 2026 midterms.
Map used in the 2020 election
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
Map used in the 2022 election and later
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
2024 presidential vote margin,
in percentage points
Trump
Harris
30
15
5
0
5
15
30
In a recent House special election, the Democratic candidate lost the 7th District by 9 points — a notable improvement over Kamala Harris’ 22-point loss in 2024.
Nashville
7
Knoxville
5
Memphis
Some Democrats believe the 5th District — which Harris lost by 18 points in 2024 — is their best shot to flip a seat in 2026.
Map used in the 2020 election
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
Map used in the 2022 election and later
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
2024 presidential vote margin, in percentage points
Trump
Harris
30
15
5
0
5
15
30
In a recent House special election, the Democratic candidate lost the 7th District by 9 points — a notable improvement over Kamala Harris’ 22-point loss in 2024.
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
Some Democrats believe the 5th District — which Harris lost by 18 points in 2024 — is their best shot to flip a seat in 2026.
Map used in the 2020 election
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
Map used in the 2022 election and later
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
2024 presidential vote margin, in percentage points
Trump
Harris
30
15
5
0
5
15
30
In a recent House special election, the Democratic candidate lost the 7th District by 9 points — a notable improvement over Kamala Harris’ 22-point loss in 2024.
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
Some Democrats believe the 5th District — which Harris lost by 18 points in 2024 — is their best shot to flip a seat in 2026.
