The AM/DM podcast: After 20 years holding federal office, Cohen drops out
Congressman Steve Cohen was in attendance during February 7’s Transit Equity Day 2026 event held at the Orange Mound Community Center. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian file)
After the Tennessee Legislature redrew the state’s congressional districts during a three-day special session, it left District 9 incumbent Steve Cohen and Democratic challenger Justin J. Pearson living in District 5.
The two are still allowed to run in August’s District 9 primary, for which they were both already certified.
Pearson plans to do so. But Cohen announced last week that he was dropping out of the race, saying it was the most difficult moment he’s had as an elected official.
Longtime political reporter Bill Dries joins us today to talk about Cohen’s legacy and how the three congressional races are shaping up.
Listen in.
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Topics
AM/DM Steve CohenMary Cashiola
Mary Cashiola has been a Memphis journalist for nearly two decades, beginning her career covering city government and local neighborhoods at the Memphis Flyer before being hired by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton’s administration.
Before joining The Daily Memphian, she was the managing editor of the Memphis Business Journal, which was named one of the top 10 Best Designed Newspapers in the world by the Society of News Design while she was there.
She also has a background in advertising, with a focus on higher education and the hospitality industry.
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