Tennessee Republicans don't plan to pull any punches if they keep their majorities in the General Assembly, giving them control over redistricting legislative boundaries following the 2010 U.S. census.

"Now that we're drawing the lines, (Democrats) want to do it fair," said state Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga. "We'll be just as fair to them as they've been to us."

After the census, lawmakers in every state will redraw district lines for state legislative seats and U.S. congressional districts. Observers have predicted Georgia could pick up a congressional seat due to population growth.

In Tennessee, Democrats held majorities in the General Assembly until 2008, controlling the drawing of state legislative and congressional district lines since Reconstruction in the late 1860s. The GOP took over both houses of the legislature in last year's election, setting the stage for elections to the state House of Representatives and Senate in 2010.

In Georgia, lawmakers are trying to avoid the outcome of the 2001 redistricting effort that led to a lengthy lawsuit and a federal court order that the maps be redrawn.

Addressing the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club last week, Rep. McCormick characterized district lines drawn by Tennessee's Democratic-led legislatures as unfair to Republicans. He said Republicans would "have to really blow it not to pick up five or six seats" in the legislature after redistricting.

Chip Forrester, chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, said those statements do not have "a shred of decency or fairness."

"His statement certainly reflects the zealotry Republicans have adopted," Mr. Forrester said.

Democratic-drawn district lines were not "meant to disenfranchise Republicans," he said.

During the 10-year period since the last redrawing of district boundaries, Republicans have seen their numbers increase as Democratic seats decreased in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Rep. McCormick argued that Republican legislative candidates consistently have won more votes in Tennessee than Democrats in recent years, even in elections where Democrats retained their majority.

In Georgia, the challenged 2001 redistricting maps were drawn under Democratic control. Now Republicans are trying to avoid the same outcome, said state Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, chairman of the Senate Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee.

"The bottom line is to follow the law," he said.

Sen. Hill said it's risky to draw lines so that they stretch around a large area or clearly are meant to favor one party over another.