Washington, D.C. – Today, Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney General of the United States and chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, released the below statement after the Tennessee House Select Committee voted to advance a congressional map that splits up Nashville into three districts:

“Tennessee Republicans are brazenly advancing a draft congressional map that splits up Nashville in order to dilute the voting strength of the city’s voters and destroy any semblance of political competitiveness. Breaking Nashville into multiple districts is nothing more than a greedy political power grab and a blatant scheme to consolidate Republican power in Middle Tennessee.  

“Davidson County has been whole for more than 200 years and must remain that way. The state’s capital has a nationally recognized identity as a major contributor to the music industry and serves as the region’s economic powerhouse. Carving up Nashville would also split up the rapidly growing black population, effectively relegating their interests to the political backburner. 

“This unacceptable, gerrymandered map is clearly a politically-motivated attempt to rip up Nashville’s identity for one reason: to gain illegitimate power. We will do all that we can to prevent Republicans from silencing the voices of our fellow citizens in Nashville.”

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