The Tennessee State Capitol in downtown Nashville.NASHVILLE – They’ve worked together for years, sometimes sat side-by-side at the state Capitol and often stuck together despite party on economic development and other issues affecting Southeast Tennessee.
But now, six area lawmakers could be duking it out over three legislative seats as a result of newly drawn district boundaries approved Friday by the Republican-led Tennessee General Assembly.
Similar dramas are playing out across the state. House Republicans are hoping to boost their current 64-34 majority by at least two seats – and likely more – through a redistricting plan they say is “fair and legal.”
Senate Republicans also hope to boost their 20-13 majority between two and 25 seats over the coming decade.
Republican Gov. Bill Haslam is expected to sign the redistricting plans for the state’s 99 House, 33 Senate and nine congressional seats.