NASHVILLE – State House Democrats could lose as many as nine seats under a Republican-drawn legislative redistricting plan to be presented publicly for the first time this morning, Democrats said.
The GOP plan will put Democrats currently representing eight districts into four districts, forcing them to run against each other, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner, of Nashville, told caucus members.
In a fifth case, Republicans intend to put Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, into the 31st Legislative District held by Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City. It is expected to be a Republican-leaning district, and Cobb, who represents all of Rhea County, is vacating the Hamilton County portion of his district.
Among the districts being merged are four now represented by black Democrats, including previously disclosed plans to put Rep. JoAnne Favors, D-Chattanooga, who now represents the 29th Legislative District, into the 28th Legislative District held by Rep. Tommie Brown, D-Chattanooga.
Republicans also intend to put Reps. Barbara Cooper, D-Memphis, and G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, into the same district, Turner said. Both lawmakers are black.