Oak Ridge City Council unanimously opposes redistricting that would move Anderson and Roane counties out of 3rd District

The Oak Ridge City Council on Wednesday adopted a unanimous resolution opposing any Tennessee congressional redistricting plan that would remove Anderson County and Roane County from the 3rd Congressional District.

Mayor Gooch opened a special session and asked the clerk to read the resolution, which the council moved to approve and then approved on a roll-call vote. The clerk announced the vote was unanimous.

Council members said the action was driven by concern that changing district lines now could disrupt established relationships with federal agencies and jeopardize large, ongoing investments tied to Oak Ridge’s DOE facilities. Mayor Gooch said he had been told by Congressman Chuck Flashman, who has represented the 3rd District for 15 years, that draft redistricting plans showed Roane and Anderson counties removed from the 3rd District and that a special session of the legislature was likely.

“It's not about politics. It's not about who holds the seat or which party benefits,” Council member Hope said, arguing that continuity with the 3rd District has helped secure cleanup funding, land transfers and infrastructure improvements that support local projects.

Council member Gleeson, identified as chairman of the Oak Ridge Corridor Commission, told the council the Corridor Commission had already submitted comments to the state and said the area is seeing major investment: “Right now, we're counting close to $12,000,000,000 in committed investment activity here in the City Of Oak Ridge to direct impact to Anderson County and Roane County as well,” he said.

Mayor Gooch and others noted federal funding streams tied to congressional committees and stressed that keeping the two counties in the 3rd District would preserve continuity while several long-term projects move forward. The mayor framed the moment as part of a broader expansion of nuclear-related work in the region, stating, “The nuclear renaissance is obviously here. Manhattan Project 2 is underway.”

The clerk conducted a roll-call vote after discussion. The resolution passed with all members present voting in favor: Mayor Pro Tem Dodson; Council member Gleeson; Mayor Gooch; Council member Hammond; Council member Hensley; Council member Hope; and Council member Smith.

After the vote, Mayor Gooch thanked attendees, gave a brief invocation for the city and state and adjourned the special session.

The resolution is an expression of the city’s position; the council did not instruct staff on specific follow-up steps during the session. The clerk’s reading of the resolution and the unanimous roll-call vote are recorded in the meeting transcript.