Gov. Bill Haslam speaks to reporters in this file photo.NASHVILLE – Senate Republicans this afternoon approved state House and congressional redistricting plans, sending the redrawn districts to Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.
The House plan passed 24-9, which favors Republicans, with no debate. Most Democrats voted against it.
Earlier, they voted 23-10, again along mostly partisan lines, and approved the congressional plan.
The congressional plan substantially changes Tennessee’s 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts. Among other things it splits Bradley County, putting most of the county in the 4th District and leaving a portion in the 3rd.
The 4th District now stretches from Cleveland to Rutherford County where Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro, is mulling challenging freshman U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., in this August’s GOP primary.