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Opinion: Democratic redistricting 50 years ago – ‘We’ve got the votes and you don’t’

AP File Photo/Mark Humphrey / Then-Gov. Ned McWherter, who was one of the state's most powerful Democrats before seeking the state's top job, works in his office in Nashville in 1993.
AP File Photo/Mark Humphrey / Then-Gov. Ned McWherter, who was one of the state's most powerful Democrats before seeking the state's top job, works in his office in Nashville in 1993. AP File Photo/Mark Humphrey / Then-Gov. Ned McWherter, who was one of the state's most powerful Democrats before seeking the state's top job, works in his office in Nashville in 1993.

By Clint Cooper 5 min read

Fifty years ago, there was no pretense.

The Democratic majority in the Tennessee legislature wanted to turn a 5-4 advantage in congressional districts – given the removal of a congressional seat from the state after the 1970 census – to a 6-2 advantage.

The Associated Press wrote it with a straight face and no political bent.

– “A select committee of Democrats has been working on a master plan [for legislative reapportionment]. The bill is highly partisan.” (1/18/1972)

– ” Democrats passed a congressional redistricting bill aimed at giving six of the eight congressional seats to Democrats next year ” (4/7/1972)