Tennessee Rep. Scott DesJarlais faces Democrat Victoria Broderick in redrawn 4th District
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Republican incumbent Rep. Scott DesJarlais faces Democratic nominee Victoria Broderick in Tennessee's 4th District.
The redrawn seat now takes in part of Nashville, and a Democratic lawsuit seeks to overturn the map.
Background
Scott DesJarlais is the Republican incumbent U.S. representative for Tennessee's 4th Congressional District, based in Sherwood. After Tennessee passed a new congressional map, the 4th District was redrawn to include a portion of Southeast Davidson County and part of South Nashville while keeping most of Rutherford County and adding several other counties. The change means Southeast Nashville is set to have its third different congressman in 10 years — Jim Cooper in 2020, Andy Ogles in 2023 and, under the new map, DesJarlais. Tennessee Democrats filed a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the new lines.
How it unfolded
- May 8, 2026Under Tennessee's new congressional map, the 4th District represented by Rep. Scott DesJarlais includes part of Southeast Davidson County, retains most of Rutherford County and picks up Cannon, Van Buren, Coffee, Franklin, Marion, Grundy, Warren, Bledsoe and Sequatchie counties.
- Sep 5, 2026In the redrawn 4th District, which now includes some South Nashville residents, incumbent Rep. Scott DesJarlais is set to face Victoria Broderick.
- Oct 28, 2026Gov. Bill Lee announced Tennessee's intent to pursue the United States Space Academy, with Rep. Scott DesJarlais among the state and federal leaders backing the bid.
- Oct 30, 2026DesJarlais urged voters to turn out in a pivotal election, speaking at the Franklin County Republican Party's annual bonfire event, which is named after the congressman.
- Nov 3, 2026Election Day in Tennessee: Republican incumbent Rep. Scott DesJarlais faces Democratic nominee Victoria Broderick in the 4th Congressional District.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- DesJarlais said he was pleased to join Gov. Bill Lee in highlighting Tennessee's potential to host the United States Space Academy, citing the state's academic reputation in aerospace, science and engineering, the University of Tennessee Space Institute, Arnold Air Force Base and proximity to Huntsville.
- Official
- DesJarlais said Tennessee has "a natural synergy, educational and technical experience, and geographical advantage" that would make it a natural fit for the academy.
- Party
- Tennessee Democrats filed a federal lawsuit calling for the new congressional lines to be overturned, describing the map as "racially and recklessly redrawn."
Still unverified
Tennessee Democrats' federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the new congressional map describes the lines as "racially and recklessly redrawn" — a disputed claim.