NASHVILLE – Bradley County would be united within the same congressional district for the first time in a decade under a political redistricting plan being finalized by Tennessee legislative Republicans.
State House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, the Senate Republican speaker, confirmed the intent Tuesday as the 112th General Assembly convened for its 2022 session, where state and congressional redistricting are a top focus for the GOP-led legislature.
The entire county for decades was part of the 3rd Congressional District, held then and now by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah. But in 2012 redistricting, Republicans divided Bradley between Fleischmann and U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Sherwood.
DesJarlais represents the state’s 4th Congressional District.
“That was a request, that Congressman Fleischmann wanted all of Bradley. So we talked to him and we tried to do what we could,” Sexton said in response to a Times Free Press reporter’s question as the House adjourned its first day of session.