Longtime Democratic Rep Steve Cohen announces end to re-election bid

Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee announced on Friday that he signed a document requesting not to be included on the ballot in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.

The congressman described the district determined by "new lines" as "nothing like the 9th district that I've represented."

The Democratic primary in the district is scheduled to take place in August.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., speaks during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on April 20, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Redistricting was approved in the state last week.

A press release from the Tennessee secretary of state website states, "Candidates who previously qualified for 2026 congressional elections may run in the new district that has the same district number. Candidates who wish to change districts or withdraw may do so by filing a notarized statement with the State Division of Elections, attention Coordinator of Elections." 

A press release from Cohen's office says the lawmaker's "majority-Black district was gerrymandered into three Republican-leaning districts by the state General Assembly last week."

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a 'Rose Garden Club' dinner for National Police Week in the Rose Garden at the White House on May 11, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Cohen is ending his re-election bid after more than 19 years in Congress — he took office in early 2007.

Speaking after his announcement on Friday, Cohen slammed President Donald Trump, describing the president as "the greatest threat to democracy," "decorum," as well as to "grace, that we've ever seen."

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., questions Special Counsel Jack Smith as he testifies during a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Jan. 22, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House.