Steve Cohen is a political anomaly who has become a beloved fixture in Memphis: he is a Jewish congressman representing a majority-Black district (roughly 64% African American). Despite initial skepticism when he replaced Harold Ford Jr. in 2006, Cohen has consistently won re-election with massive margins, earning the trust of his constituents through a relentless focus on civil rights and social justice.
He represents Tennessee’s 9th District, which is effectively the city of Memphis. It is the cultural soul of the Mid-South, home to Beale Street, Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum (at the Lorraine Motel). Economically, it is a global logistics superpower, hosting the world headquarters of FedEx and the massive Memphis International Airport cargo hub.
A senior member of the Judiciary Committee, Cohen is known for his sharp wit and theatrical protests. He went viral in 2019 for bringing a bucket of KFC and a ceramic chicken to a committee hearing to mock Attorney General William Barr for refusing to testify, calling him "Chicken Barr."
His legislative portfolio is deeply tied to his district's needs. He is a fierce advocate for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (located in his district), plays a key role on the Transportation Committee protecting funding for the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), and has introduced historic legislation to study reparations for slavery.
Before Congress, Cohen served 24 years in the Tennessee State Senate, where he was the "father" of the Tennessee Education Lottery, creating the HOPE Scholarship that has sent hundreds of thousands of students to college.
"He’s the white Jewish lawyer who the people of Memphis trust to carry the torch of Civil Rights. Steve Cohen proves that representation isn't just about demographics; it’s about showing up."
Steve Cohen: The Conscience of Memphis
Steve Cohen’s career is a testament to the power of showing up. Born in Memphis to a pediatrician father and a homemaker mother, Cohen contracted polio at age five, a battle that left him with a permanent limp and a lifelong empathy for the vulnerable. He didn't come from a political dynasty; he built his reputation in the trenches of the Tennessee State Senate, where he spent 24 years as a liberal firebrand in an increasingly conservative legislature. His crowning achievement there was fighting for nearly two decades to establish the Tennessee Education Lottery, which now funds the HOPE Scholarship program, making college accessible for countless Tennessee families.
When he ran for Congress in 2006 to replace Harold Ford Jr., many doubted that a white candidate could hold a seat that had been a bastion of Black political power. Yet, Cohen won by promising to be "the congressman for the rest of us." He has kept that promise by becoming one of the most progressive voices in the House. He serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, a critical assignment for Memphis, which bills itself as "America's Distribution Center." He constantly fights to modernize the I-40 bridge and expand Amtrak service to the city.
On the national stage, Cohen is a fighter. As the Chair (and now Ranking Member) of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, he has held historic hearings on reparations, the Voting Rights Act, and police reform. He doesn't shy away from conflict; he was the first member of Congress to introduce articles of impeachment against Donald Trump (in 2017, long before the rest of the party caught up). His style is often unconventional—like the "Chicken Barr" incident—but his constituents view his theatrics as a sign that he is willing to fight dirty to be heard.
District Context: Tennessee 9th (U.S. Census Data)
The Bluff City: This district covers the vast majority of Memphis and some immediate suburbs. It is an urban, river city defined by music, logistics, and a complex histor...
