Barbara Massey ReeceThe Northwest Georgia political scene already has more R’s than a pirate ship, but some political observers believe Republicans may be preparing to plunder the last Democratic district north of metro Atlanta.
Rep. Barbara Massey Reece, D-Menlo, could see her district splintered or stretched to make re-election more difficult once legislators begin redrawing political boundaries in two weeks.
“It’s going to be tough for her and any other isolated Democrats,” said Ken Ellinger, a political science professor at Dalton State College. “It wouldn’t surprise me if none of them were left standing at the end of 2012.”
Elected in 1998, Reece represents Chattooga County and part of Floyd County. On a state political map of blue and red counties, her district — along with Rick Crawford’s, D-Cedartown — looks like two drops of blueberry jam on a crimson tablecloth. And because Republicans control the Legislature and the governor’s office, some look for one or both districts to be broken into other districts with enough GOP voters to oust the Democratic lawmakers.
“I would not be surprised if her district was targeted,” said John Hickman, a professor of political science at Berry College in Rome, Ga.