Tennessee State Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, stands outside his home.NASHVILLE - State Rep. Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap, says Republican-drawn redistricting has him weighing a run in a reconfigured House district that pits him against Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, or a soon-to-be-vacant Senate district.
"I've got two options," Harmon said today. "I've got to hear what other people have to say in those two districts, talking to my family and look at my situation."
Earlier today, the Senate gave final approval to its redistricting plan. The GOP map renames the 14th Senate District as District 16, but leaves the seven-county seat otherwise unchanged. Incumbent Sen. Eric Stewart, D-Belvidere, whose term is up this year, has announced he is running for Congress.
Harmon noted that he represents four of the newly renamed district's counties - his home county of Sequatchie as well as Marion, Grundy and Van Buren.
Harmon said he also continues looking at running in the newly reconfigured House District 31, which would pit him against Cobb.
The Senate district, which also includes Franklin, Coffee and Warren counties, is a "Democratic-leaning district," Harmon noted, while "the House district probably leans a little Republican, not drastically."
"But ... I'm a conservative Democrat," he added.