Tenn. Rep. Vince Dean 'very interested' in redrawn Sen. Andy Berke seat

photo Tennessee state representative Vince Dean. Staff Photo by Patrick Smith
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE - Rep. Vince Dean of East Ridge said he is "very interested" in running for the 10th Senate District, now held by Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, under a redistricting plan released today by Republican senators.

"I'll spend the next week or so until it's finalized and voted on, praying about it, consulting with family and advisers," said Dean, a Republican. "And I'll also be studying the map."

Among other things, Dean is interested in seeing whether any other Republican House members live in the district.

Senate Republicans released the plan today and it is scheduled to come up Tuesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The plan lops off Democratic-leaning Marion County from Berke's district, pushes the district eastward through Republican areas including East Ridge and Apison into Republican-rich Bradley County.

Republicans familiar with the plan estimate that about 43,000 Bradley residents, now represented by Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, will now be in the 10th District, with roughly 150,000 Hamilton County residents.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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