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DeVante R. Hill
Current office and 2026 campaign
DeVante Hill is a candidate in the 2026 election for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District 1. He competes in a Democratic primary against incumbent Representative Steve Cohen and State Representative Justin Pearson 14. Hill announced his candidacy on January 20, 2026, during an event in Covington 1.
Hill is known for organizing protests in Memphis following the death of George Floyd and serving as a community voice after the death of Breonna Taylor 1. He previously worked with Mayor Jim Strickland’s office on police reform initiatives and helped select finalists for the Memphis Police Director position 4. Hill has also faced legal challenges, including an arrest in March 2021 for violating probation related to a 2016 false report charge 11.
Background and education
DeVante Hill is a Memphis native who grew up in a family of ministers 10. He self-describes as having overcome issues such as child abuse during his upbringing 10. Hill identifies with the Christian faith and serves as a pastor at One Church Memphis 13.
Hill previously worked in public service, serving as an intern for U.S. Representative Steve Cohen 12. Specific details regarding his early education, schools attended, or degrees earned are not provided in the available sources.
Career
Hill has described himself as a pastor at One Church Memphis 13. He previously served as an intern for U.S. Representative Steve Cohen 12. Hill also worked for FedEx for 26 years before his employment ended following the disclosure of a breast cancer diagnosis to a senior Human Resources executive 15.
In 2016, Hill was arrested and charged with filing a false police report regarding a burglary at a rooming house where he claimed his laptop had been stolen 8. He pleaded guilty to the charge in 2019 and was sentenced to diversion 8. In March 2021, Hill was arrested on an outstanding warrant for violating the terms of that diversion, which included failing to report to his probation officer and failing a drug screen 11. He posted a $7,500 bond and was released 5.
Office history
Hill served as an intern for U.S. Representative Steve Cohen 12. He later worked in Cohen’s office as a constituent services representative 15.
In 2016, Hill was arrested on charges related to filing a false police report regarding a burglary at his rooming house 8. In 2019, he pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to diversion 8. In March 2021, Hill was arrested on an outstanding warrant for violating the terms of that diversion program, which included failing to report to his probation officer and failing a drug screen 11. He posted bond and was released 5.
Hill self-describes as a pastor at One Church Memphis 13. In 2020, he organized protests in Memphis following the death of George Floyd, including a march that shut down the I-40 bridge 110. Following these events, he met with Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s office to discuss police reform and the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board 79. In March 2021, Hill participated in a process led by Mayor Strickland to help select finalists for the position of Memphis Police Director 611.
In January 2026, Hill announced his candidacy for Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District 114. He is running on the Democratic ticket against incumbent Steve Cohen and State Representative Justin Pearson 114.
Documented disputes and controversies
Hill’s 2016 arrest for filing a false police report regarding a stolen laptop resulted in a 2019 guilty plea and a diversion sentence that was terminated earlier in the month of his March 2021 arrest 8. Following the termination, an outstanding warrant was issued for Hill on March 4, citing violations of probation terms including failure to report to a probation officer and failing a drug screen 11. Hill was taken into custody by Shelby County Sheriff's deputies on this warrant while he was in court addressing a separate charge for driving with a suspended license 25.
Hill’s lawyer characterized the outstanding warrants as a clerical error, but the Tennessee Department of Correction confirmed that Hill had violated his probation terms, leading to the active arrest warrant 6. The Commercial Appeal reported that Hill received death threats following his participation in protests, including messages containing racial slurs and images of lynching 3.
During the 2026 Democratic primary for Tennessee's 9th Congressional District, Hill challenged incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen alongside State Rep. Justin Pearson and Republican Charlotte Bergmann 14. Cohen, who previously employed Hill as an intern, described him as "idealistic" and "talented," noting fond memories of Hill’s involvement in public affairs 12. In a separate dispute regarding his employment at FedEx, Hill stated that he was denied protections guaranteed under the Americans with Disabilities Act after disclosing a breast cancer diagnosis, leading to the abrupt end of his 26-year career 15.
Family
Hill self-describes as having grown up in a family of ministers 10. He is associated with One Church Memphis 13. The provided sources do not contain information regarding his spouse or children.