Longtime Democratic Rep Steve Cohen announces end to re-election bid

Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee announced on Friday that he signed a document requesting not to be included on the ballot in Tennessee's 9th Congressional District.

The congressman described the district determined by "new lines" as "nothing like the 9th district that I've represented."

The Democratic primary in the district is scheduled to take place in August.

Cohen's announcement comes after Tennessee approved a new congressional map last week.

"Candidates who previously qualified for 2026 congressional elections may run in the new district that has the same district number. Candidates who wish to change districts or withdraw may do so by filing a notarized statement with the State Division of Elections, attention Coordinator of Elections," according to a press release posted on the Tennessee secretary of state's website.

Cohen is ending his re-election bid after more than 19 years in Congress — he took office in early 2007.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated