U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen gives a speech thanking his supporters and the 9th District at 409 South Main after defeating opponent Ricky Wilkins in the Democratic primary in Memphis, Tenn. Thursday August 7, 2014.MEMPHIS - U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen has surged to victory in the Democratic primary as he seeks a fifth consecutive term in the House seat representing Tennessee's 9th District.
With about 3 percent of the 9th congressional district's precincts reporting, Cohen had more than 65 percent of the vote Thursday. His closest challenger, attorney Ricky Wilkins, had about 32 percent.
Cohen, who is white, once again defeated an African-American challenger. Cohen has represented the majority-black district, which includes Memphis, since 2006.
Cohen served for more than 20 years as a Tennessee state senator before winning the seat held for more than two decades by Harold Ford Sr. and his son, Harold Ford Jr.
Cohen faces Republican Charlotte Bergmann in November.