Local Leader Discusses Redistricting Plan
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Local leaders said constructing a redistricting plan for Tennessee was long and tedious. “We have spent all summer and fall meeting with every member that wanted to meet with us,” said Representative Steve McDaniel of Parkers Crossroads. McDaniel serves as the chair of the house ad-hoc redistricting committee for Tennessee. He said Tennessee’s current population of about 6.3 million marks an 11.5 percent increase since 2002. He said the growth is what prompted the changes in district lines. “Probably 75 percent or more of the house districts had to change their look,” he said. McDaniel said the challenge was to meet strict representation requirements while keeping each house district at a population of 61,102. “You want to keep communities of like interest in mind you; don’t want to split up communities,” he added. He said the current plan splits a total of 29 counties statewide. McDaniel said while his committee drew lines fairly, he admits politics played a role. “You know it’s said the ones that have the majority and have the pencil draw the plan, but first of all you want to draw a plan that’s fair and that’s legal. You don’t want it to be taken to court and thrown out because of some legality,” he said. The General Assembly meets next Tuesday, January 10. McDaniel believes the house redistricting plan will then be heard by the full committee. He expects it to move to the house floor, Thursday.
