# Tennessee's 7th congressional district

The 7th congressional district of Tennessee is a congressional district located in parts of Middle and West Tennessee. It has been represented by Republican Mark Green since January 2019. The seventh district has significant urban, suburban, and rural areas. Although most of the area is rural, more than half of the district's votes are cast in either Davidson County (Nashville), Montgomery County (Clarksville), or Williamson County (Franklin).
By most measures, Williamson County is the wealthiest county in the state and is usually ranked near the top nationally.
The district has a very strong military presence, as it includes Tennessee's share of Fort Campbell. Politically speaking, the area was secessionist and part of the Democrats' "Solid South" for a century after the Civil War, excluding heavily Republican Unionist Highland Rim Wayne County. Starting with the election of Don Sundquist in 1983, this district has become one of the most Republican areas in Tennessee. The presence of Nashville's suburbs gives it a character similar to those of most affluent suburban districts in much of the South until the mid-2000s. It has a strong social conservative bent; many of the state's most politically active churches are either located here or draw most of their congregations from here.
The rural secessionist counties are similar demographically to the 8th district and returned to the Democrats until the 2000s; three of the five Tennessee counties won by George McGovern lie within this district. However, since the mid-2000s, these counties have turned overwhelmingly Republican in all elections. Currently, the only Democratic stronghold in the district is part of Nashville, which was added during the 2020 redistricting cycle. The city of Clarksville is the most competitive part of the district, which still occasionally elects Democrats to the state legislature.

## History

Districts stretching from Clarksville to West Tennessee have existed in one form or another since 1871. For most of the time, from 1933 to 1983 (except for 1943 to 1953), it was numbered as the 6th district.
This district assumed something approaching its current configuration in 1973, when Tennessee lost a congressional district. At that time, the 6th was redrawn to stretch from Williamson County, south of Nashville, to the eastern suburbs of Memphis and covering the rural areas in between. Republican Robin Beard represented this area from 1973 to 1983.
Tennessee gained a congressional district following the 1980 census. At this time, the district was re-numbered as the 7th and lost its eastern counties to the 4th and 6th districts. At the same time, most of its black residents closer to Memphis were drawn into the 9th district. Following this re-districting, Beard made an unsuccessful U.S. Senate bid, and was replaced by former Shelby County Republican Party chair Don Sundquist.
Sundquist served through the rest of the 1980s through the 1990 re-districting, which saw the district lose some of its rural counties while picking up Maury County. In 1994, Sundquist successfully ran for Governor of Tennessee, defeating future governor Phil Bredesen. Sundquist was then replaced by Ed Bryant. Bryant served from 1995 until 2002, when the district was gerrymandered by the Democrat-led Tennessee General Assembly to pack the consistently Republican suburbs of Nashville and Memphis into one district. The result was a district that was 200 miles (320 km) long, but only two miles (3.2 km) wide at some points in the Middle Tennessee portion (roughly the width of a highway lane). Following that re-districting, the area chose Brentwood-based state senator Marsha Blackburn. She served from 2003 to 2019.
Redistricting after the 2010 census made the district somewhat more compact, restoring a configuration similar to the 1983-2003 lines. However, it lost its share of the Memphis suburbs to the 8th, a move which made the 8th as heavily Republican as the 7th. In 2018, Blackburn successfully ran for the U.S. Senate, defeating former governor Phil Bredesen. In the concurrent election, the district selected doctor and former state senator Mark E. Green.
Redistricting after the 2020 census made the district somewhat less Republican. This was because Tennessee's legislature cracked heavily Democratic Nashville between congressional districts to boost Republican support in the 5th district. The 7th district picked up the western portion of Nashville while it lost some rural counties to the 8th district.
Despite the dramatic changes to the district's boundaries, the district is still considered safe Republican, with a Cook PVI of R+10. Republican Congressman Mark Green still represents the district to this day.

## Current boundaries

The district is located in both West and Middle Tennessee. It stretches as far north as the Kentucky border, as far south as the Alabama border, as far east as Franklin, and as far west as Camden. For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), it contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
Benton County (4)
    Big Sandy, Camden (part; also 8th), Eva, Holladay
Cheatham County (4)
    All 4 communities
Davidson County (2)
    Berry Hill, Nashville (part; also 5th and 6th)
Dickson County (6)
    All 6 communities
Decatur County (3)
    All 3 communities
Hickman County (4)
    All 4 communities
Houston County (2)
    Erin, Tennessee Ridge
Humphreys County (3)
    All 3 communities
Montgomery County (1)
    Clarksville
Perry County (2)
    Linden, Lobelville
Robertson County (11)
    All 11 communities
Stewart County (3)
    All 3 communities
Wayne County (3)
    All 3 communities
Williamson County (4)
    Brentwood (part; also 5th), Fairview, Franklin (part; also 5th), Thompson's Station (part; also 5th)

## Recent election results
### Results under old lines (2013-2023)

2012 Tennessee's 7th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Marsha Blackburn (Incumbent) | 182,730 | 71.0 |
| | Democratic | Credo Amouzouvik | 61,679 | 24.0 |
| | Green | Howard Switzer | 4,640 | 1.8 |
| | Independent | Jack Arnold | 4,256 | 1.7 |
| | Independent | William Akin | 2,740 | 1.1 |
| | Independent | Lenny Ladner | 1,261 | 0.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 257,306 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
2014 Tennessee's 7th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 110,534 | 70.0 |
| | Democratic | Daniel Cramer | 42,280 | 26.8 |
| | Independent | Leonard D. Ladner | 5,093 | 3.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 157,907 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
2016 Tennessee's 7th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Marsha Blackburn (incumbent) | 200,407 | 72.2 |
| | Democratic | Tharon Chandler | 65,226 | 23.5 |
| | Independent | Leonard D. Ladner | 11,880 | 4.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 277,513 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
2018 Tennessee's 7th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Green | 170,071 | 66.9 |
| | Democratic | Justin Kanew | 81,661 | 32.1 |
| | Independent | Leonard Ladner | 1,582 | 0.6 |
| | Independent | Brent Legendre | 1,070 | 0.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 254,384 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
2020 Tennessee's 7th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Green (incumbent) | 245,188 | 69.9 |
| | Democratic | Kiran Sreepada | 95,839 | 27.3 |
| | Independent | Ronald Brown | 7,603 | 2.2 |
| | Independent | Scott Vieira | 2,005 | 0.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 350,635 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
Results under current lines (2023-present)
2022 Tennessee's 7th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Green (incumbent) | 108,421 | 59.96% |
| | Democratic | Odessa Kelly | 68,973 | 38.14% |
| | Independent | Steven J. Hooper | 3,428 | 1.90% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 180,822 | 100.00% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
2024 Tennessee's 7th congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Green (incumbent) | 191,992 | 59.50% |
| | Democratic | Megan Barry | 122,764 | 38.05% |
| | Independent | Shaun Greene | 7,900 | 2.45% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 322,656 | 100.00% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 50% - 48% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 55% - 45% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 56% - 39% |
| 2018 | Senate | Blackburn 50% - 49% |
| 2018 | Governor | Lee 54% - 43% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 56% - 41% |
| 2020 | Senate | Hagerty 58% - 39% |
| 2022 | Governor | Lee 60% - 38% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 60% - 38% |

## List of members representing the district

| Name | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history |
| District established March 4, 1823 |||||
| Sam Houston (Nashville) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1823 - March 4, 1825 | 18th 19th | Elected in 1823. Re-elected in 1825. Retired to run for Governor of Tennessee. |
| Sam Houston (Nashville) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1825 - March 4, 1827 | 18th 19th | Elected in 1823. Re-elected in 1825. Retired to run for Governor of Tennessee. |
| John Bell (Nashville) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1827 – March 3, 1835 | 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th | Elected in 1827. Re-elected in 1829. Re-elected in 1831. Re-elected in 1833. Re-elected in 1835. Re-elected in 1837. Re-elected in 1839. Retired to become U.S. Secretary of War. |
| John Bell (Nashville) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1837 | 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th | Elected in 1827. Re-elected in 1829. Re-elected in 1831. Re-elected in 1833. Re-elected in 1835. Re-elected in 1837. Re-elected in 1839. Retired to become U.S. Secretary of War. |
| John Bell (Nashville) | Whig | March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1841 | 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th | Elected in 1827. Re-elected in 1829. Re-elected in 1831. Re-elected in 1833. Re-elected in 1835. Re-elected in 1837. Re-elected in 1839. Retired to become U.S. Secretary of War. |
| Robert L. Caruthers (Lebanon) | Whig | March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 | 27th | Elected in 1841. Retired. |
| David W. Dickinson (Murfreesboro) | Whig | March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845 | 28th | Elected in 1843. Retired. |
| Meredith P. Gentry (Franklin) | Whig | March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1853 | 29th 30th 31st 32nd | Elected in 1845. Re-elected in 1847. Re-elected in 1849. Re-elected in 1851. Retired. |
| Robert M. Bugg (Lynnville) | Whig | March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | 33rd | Elected in 1853. Retired. |
| John V. Wright (Purdy) | Democratic | March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1861 | 34th 35th 36th | Elected in 1855. Re-elected in 1857. Re-elected in 1859. Could not seek re-election, as West Tennessee seceded. |
| District inactive | District inactive | March 4, 1861 – July 24, 1866 | 37th 38th 39th | Civil War and Reconstruction |
| Isaac R. Hawkins (Huntingdon) | Unionist | July 24, 1866 – March 3, 1867 | 39th 40th 41st | Elected in 1865. Re-elected in 1867. Re-elected in 1868. Retired. |
| Isaac R. Hawkins (Huntingdon) | Republican | March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871 | 39th 40th 41st | Elected in 1865. Re-elected in 1867. Re-elected in 1868. Retired. |
| Robert P. Caldwell (Trenton) | Democratic | March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873 | 42nd | Elected in 1870. Lost renomination. |
| John Atkins (Paris) | Democratic | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875 | 43rd | Elected in 1872. Redistricted to the 8th district. |
| Washington C. Whitthorne (Columbia) | Democratic | March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1883 | 44th 45th 46th 47th | Redistricted from the 6th district and re-elected in 1874. Re-elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Retired. |
| John G. Ballentine (Pulaski) | Democratic | March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1887 | 48th 49th | Elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Retired. |
| Washington C. Whitthorne (Columbia) | Democratic | March 4, 1887 – March 4, 1891 | 50th 51st | Elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Retired. |
| Nicholas N. Cox (Franklin) | Democratic | March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1901 | 52nd 53rd 54th 55th 56th | Elected in 1890. Re-elected in 1892. Re-elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Retired. |
| Lemuel P. Padgett (Columbia) | Democratic | March 4, 1901 – August 2, 1922 | 57th 58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd 63rd 64th 65th 66th 67th | Elected in 1900. Re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Died. |
| Vacant | Vacant | August 2, 1922 – November 6, 1922 | 67th | |
| Clarence W. Turner (Waverly) | Democratic | November 7, 1922 – March 3, 1923 | 67th | Elected to finish Padgett's term. Retired. |
| William C. Salmon (Columbia) | Democratic | March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1925 | 68th | Elected in 1922. Retired. |
| Edward E. Eslick (Pulaski) | Democratic | March 4, 1925 – June 14, 1932 | 69th 70th 71st 72nd | Elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Died. |
| Vacant | Vacant | June 14, 1932 – August 12, 1932 | 72nd | |
| Willa Eslick (Pulaski) | Democratic | August 13, 1932 – March 3, 1933 | 72nd | Elected to finish her husband's term. Retired. |
| Gordon Browning (Huntingdon) | Democratic | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 | 73rd | Redistricted from the 8th district and re-elected in 1932. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| Herron C. Pearson (Jackson) | Democratic | January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1943 | 74th 75th 76th 77th | Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Retired. |
| W. Wirt Courtney (Franklin) | Democratic | January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1949 | 78th 79th 80th | Redistricted from the 6th district and re-elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Lost renomination. |
| James P. Sutton (Lawrenceburg) | Democratic | January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1953 | 81st 82nd | Elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Redistricted to the 6th district. |
| Tom J. Murray (Jackson) | Democratic | January 3, 1953 – December 30, 1966 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th | Redistricted from the 8th district and re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Lost renomination and resigned early. |
| Vacant | Vacant | December 31, 1966 – January 2, 1967 | 89th | |
| Ray Blanton (Adamsville) | Democratic | January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1973 | 90th 91st 92nd | Elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| Ed Jones (Yorkville) | Democratic | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1983 | 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th | Redistricted from the 8th district and re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Redistricted to the 8th district. |
| Don Sundquist (Memphis) | Republican | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995 | 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Retired to run for Governor of Tennessee. |
| Ed Bryant (Henderson) | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2003 | 104th 105th 106th 107th | Elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| Marsha Blackburn (Brentwood) | Republican | January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2019 | 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| Mark E. Green (Clarksville) | Republican | January 3, 2019 – present | 116th 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. |