In crowded primaries for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, what separates the candidates?

Three months ago, Tennessee lawmakers created a new U.S. House District 9, scaring off the Democratic incumbent and creating a mad-dash primary for both parties.

The 9th has traditionally been a seat drawn around the Democratic stronghold of Memphis. But the last-minute redistricting — and a gerrymander by Republicans — now leaves an L-shaped district that pins vast stretches of rural Middle and West Tennessee counties between two of the state’s richest suburbs in Nashville and Memphis.

On the Republican side, President Donald Trump endorsed Memphis state Sen. Brent Taylor, who also holds the financial edge over his primary rivals in the race. The other contenders are Chapel Hill Republican state Rep. Todd Warner, retired U.S. Army Sergeant Jeremy Thompson and four-time congressional candidate Charlotte Bergmann.

The seat has been held by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, a Memphis Democrat, for two decades, where he’s easily defeated Republican challengers in the past. But now the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the seat as “Solid Republican,” and Cohen bowed out shortly after the seat was redrawn.

This left Cohen’s original Democratic challenger, Memphis state Rep. Justin J. Pearson, as the financial leader, having raised almost $2.3 million, to face Memphis state Sen. London Lamar and healthcare executive Jim Torino.

For this story, the Lookout listened to multiple candidate forums and reached out to each candidate, asking them to discuss the most important problem in the 9th.

Separating the Republican candidates

In a July Republican Primary debate in Williamson County, a moderator went through a lightning round of “yes or no” questions. The candidates were asked if they support a national abortion ban, deporting all immigrants here without legal permission even if they haven’t committed a crime, getting rid of voting machines in favor of only using paper ballots and banning congressional stock trading.

All four candidates agreed, highlighting how much of the Republican Party is in lockstep.

Taylor mentioned this similarity during the forum while making the case that his backing by Trump and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn was the top reason to vote for him.

“In a new district, these endorsements matter more,” Taylor said at the debate.

Taylor and Bergmann did not respond to Lookout’s question about the most important problem facing the 9th’s voters.

Warner downplayed Trump’s endorsement when talking with Lookout, and said people are more focused on finding a representative who will listen.

“One of the biggest issues I hear across this rural district is that these people feel forgotten,” Warner said. “When politicians get elected, the people no longer have a voice. They don’t come to Hardeman County, and they don’t come to Bolivar. They don’t come to Wayne County or the community of Cypress Inn.”

Thompson told The Lookout the most important issue facing District 9 was the cost of living.

“Folks feel it every day at the grocery store, at the gas pump, at the doctor’s office and the pharmacy, when they pay their rent or mortgage, and when they take their family out to eat,” Thompson said. “It’s unfortunate that keeping America safe from threats overseas sometimes causes temporary price increases, and we of course are still suffering the consequences of (former President) Joe Biden’s spending-fueled inflation.”

Democratic differences

In October 2025, the 31-year-old Pearson launched his campaign for the 9th district seat in hopes of unseating the 77-year-old Cohen and ushering in a new era.

When Cohen dropped out, this left Pearson with a seven-month head start in fundraising and staff buildup, which he’s used to his advantage. He’s widely seen as the favorite among his primary rivals.

Lamar, who recently experienced the death of a family member, did not respond to the Lookout’s question. In several forums across the district, she’s gone on the attack against Pearson, arguing she’s the only Democratic candidate who has a track record of “working across the aisle to get things done.”

Pearson dismissed those attacks and told the Lookout the most important issue facing the district is people “struggling with the rising cost of groceries, gas, childcare and healthcare.”

“I have done a listening tour in all 15 counties of the district and have visited some counties more than half a dozen times,” Pearson said. “They are frustrated by the billions being spent overseas for another endless war while people here at home can’t make ends meet.”

“They don’t understand how career politicians on both sides of the aisle enriching themselves with stock trades and accepting corporate PAC money is going to lower costs or increase wages,” he said.

Torino told the Lookout he also thought affordability was the most important issue facing the districtand that he views the ability to afford groceries, healthcare, childcare and education as “freedoms.”

“Freedom isn’t just about protecting constitutional rights. It also means giving people a fair opportunity to build a good life…to thrive,” Torino said. “When families can’t afford childcare, seniors have to choose between medicine and groceries, or young people can’t buy a home or pay for college; they are not truly free to thrive.”