Who got the shaft in House, Senate redistricting?
The Republican-backed state Senate map
Click here to see close-ups of the new (proposed) state House and Senate district maps. Some 236 political figures could be affected, so it’ll take some time to get things sorted out.
You can help. Many eyes are needed in a hurry.
After you click through the maps, go to the comment section below. Tell us who’s been saved, and who got the shaft. For instance, Senate Republicans are admitting to this:
Due to slow population growth in south Georgia, Sen. George Hooks is drawn into the same district with Sen. Freddie Powell Sims. Every other Senator has a district to run in, contrasted with the Democratic plan in 2001, which viciously paired ten of the 24 Republican incumbents, or 42% of the entire Senate Republican Caucus.
Keep track of that word “viciously.” Because that’s what House Democrats are saying is happening to them.
State Sen. Doug Stoner, D-Smyrna, we’re told, has had his District 6 extended into the Republican territory of Buckhead.
Another related, fresh point: A Democratic source says the Republican map could create — if Stoner is defeated — a Fulton County Senate delegation that is 7-3 Republican. Which might prove essential for the re-creation of a Milton County.
Here’s the House Republican self-assessment:
The plan for the 180 House seats splits only 72 of Georgia’s 159 counties, fewer than the plan drafted by the federal court in 2004, which split 77. In contrast, the 2001 plan split 80 counties. The use of multi-member districts in 2001 reduced the total number of House districts from 180 to 147.
The 2001 plan paired 37 of the 74 Republican incumbents, 9 Democrats and 1 Independent. In contrast, the plan released today contains only ten pairings. Both Republicans and Democrats are paired but only when required by population shifts or compliance with the Voting Rights Act. The 10 incumbent pairings, six with two Democrats paired and four with two Republicans paired, are:
1. Ely Dobbs (D-Atlanta) and Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta)
2. Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta) and Rashad Taylor (D-Atlanta)
3. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) and Ralph Long (D-Atlanta)
4. Stephanie Benfield (D-Atlanta) and Howard Mosby (D-Atlanta)
5. Elena Parent (D-Atlanta) and Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta)
6. Mack Jackson (D-Sandersville) and Sistie Hudson (D-Sparta)
7. Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert) and Bob Hanner (R-Parrott)
8. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) and Gene Maddox (R-Cairo)
9. Chuck Sims (R-Ambrose) and Tommy Smith (R-Nicholls)
10. Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross) and Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine)
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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75 comments Add your comment
Who Knows
August 12th, 2011
12:46 pm
Can someone explain the Thomas County – Amy Carter shenanigans?
....
August 12th, 2011
12:50 pm
At first glance, it looks like George Hooks got the shaft to me.
Anon
August 12th, 2011
12:52 pm
What about Carolyn Hugley-Calvin Smyre in Columbus?
AS
August 12th, 2011
12:53 pm
What about the proposed congressional districts?
Southern Boy
August 12th, 2011
12:54 pm
hahahahahahahaha–Payback!
FisheriesDawg
August 12th, 2011
1:07 pm
How do you get George Hooks and John Bulloch being drawn into the same district? The proposed map has Sumter County (Hooks’ home) being split between the 12th and 13th while Thomas County (Bulloch’s home) is split between the 8h and 11th.
As far as I can tell, Hooks stays in the 12th, Bulloch stays in the 11th, Crosby stays in the 13th, and Golden stays in the 8th.
Jamesr1991
August 12th, 2011
1:08 pm
The Senate and House Metro Maps appear to be the same document.
Robert
August 12th, 2011
1:10 pm
Looks like Doug McKillip (R-Athens) got a great district…
griftdrift
August 12th, 2011
1:10 pm
Jim, I would say, tagging on to what Rep Abrams said last week, that you need to look to North Dekalb.
Former 82 has been shifted down to what looks like Jacobs district. Moving Scott Holcomb from a relatively safe Democratic district into the 99 where he will have to compete with fellow Dem Hugh Floyd.
I can’t really tell who would run in the 81st yet. I know it’s Parent, but I don’t think she faces Holcomb. Of course, I’m not exactly sure where he lives.
Also, the center of Atlanta looks like someone lined up a bunch of snakes and ran them over with a car.
griftdrift
August 12th, 2011
1:11 pm
Jamesr1991, they are. But it doesn’t really matter. The Senate districts are large enough to make out where they are in the Met Atlanta area.
Jamesr1991
August 12th, 2011
1:16 pm
They just updated it. Why is the 39th running from Hapeville to Buckhead? Wow!!!
griftdrift
August 12th, 2011
1:20 pm
Guess I was wrong about Parent/Holcomb. Weird. Most of the 82nd was absorbed by the 99th. Not the 81st.
griftdrift
August 12th, 2011
1:21 pm
Nevermind. I can’t read a map. Too many squiggly lines
campaign worker
August 12th, 2011
1:26 pm
the DeKalb and Fulton Representatives are getting only what they deserve.
Remember Max Davis? Remember Paul Jennings?
Hey Democrats, payback is a bitch, ain’t it??
Jim Moon, Jr
August 12th, 2011
1:31 pm
Am I blind or is district 33 gone? D – David Wilkerson?
gop
August 12th, 2011
1:41 pm
Why don’t we all just agree to call this what it really is: Pandering Jerrymandering!
And it’s the worst-case evolution of any political system, including the five Reichs, and probably the logical extension of the vestiges of the Roman Empire after the Goths got thru wid’ it.
Or was it Six Reichs? Dammit, I always get my Barbara Streisand retirement tours mixed up.
oldtimer
August 12th, 2011
1:55 pm
As long as David Scott no longer represents me..I do not care. I just moved from Clayton County. I feel like Scott is one of the worst of the GA congressmen….Hank Johnson not far behind.
Doug
August 12th, 2011
2:09 pm
I believe that Tommy Smith is not running for re-elect because he’s battling cancer, so Chuck Sims won’t have GOP opposition.
Doug
August 12th, 2011
2:11 pm
Most Buckhead GOP are old school, not Far Right. Stoner should be able to win them over just like he does in his old district. He is a true “Southern Democrat” which in the northeast would be a Republican.
Insider
August 12th, 2011
2:27 pm
Please Doug Stoner – go flush yourself. We all know you are as lefty as they come.
Mr. KnowitAll
August 12th, 2011
2:42 pm
Hey Dems. What was it Obama said? “We won”. Now go eat your peas.
dixiedemons
August 12th, 2011
2:56 pm
Georgia gets the shaft
findog
August 12th, 2011
3:03 pm
Depending on how you read the pairing it is either the kindest thing the republicans have done yet or another hammer attempt ensure complete control.
Do the six democrat pairs mean six more republicans?
Are the four republican pairs drawn safely to bring in new fresh conservative blood?
Courtney
August 12th, 2011
3:04 pm
The Democrats are evil and get deserve whatever they get. That being said it would be nice if one of these two groups would act with the people in mind and grow up and stop playing these games.
NascarDawg
August 12th, 2011
3:05 pm
I think Sistie Hudson of Sparta definitely gets the shaft cause the Sandersville democrat can definitely beat her with all of Washington County in the district. The only other option is for one of them to run for the Senate seat in that area.
Legend of Len Barker
August 12th, 2011
3:06 pm
I can’t determine if Pridgen is very important to District 155 or considered a waste for 169.
It was might generous to include the heavily-populated bottom of Ware and Charlton for 174. It may or may not have more voters than 176.
Chuck
August 12th, 2011
3:11 pm
In the senate, Floyd County was the winner as the 52nd, currently represented by Barry Loudermilk will be an open seat containing all of Floyd County with parts of Bartow, Gordon, and Chattooga. This insures the new senator will be a resident of Floyd County… something their movers & shakers have pushed for. Loudermilk is moved into the newly created 14th which is split between Bartow and Cherokee… looks like the population edge will be in Cherokee, but Barry is very popular and should have no problem hanging on.
Tiberius
August 12th, 2011
3:15 pm
13-12 GOP in Fulton as I make it. Good news for Milton County as Galloway mentioned above with the Fulton GOP delegation
Ed Jenkins
August 12th, 2011
3:19 pm
Senate District 23 appears to have encroached into Columbia County.It is an odd shaped district.
DannyX
August 12th, 2011
3:22 pm
Any idea what race Beth Merkelson plans to jump into?
She’s paid her dues and deserves at shot at public office.
Engineer
August 12th, 2011
3:22 pm
I’m sensing strong gerrymandering in South Georgia. Just look at those long strung out districts.
You’ve got District 154 going from South Albany to Lake Seminole, District 180 going in a narrow cut from the more affluent Southeastern Waycross snaking around to Woodbine and St. Marys, and take a look at 172, 174 (parts of 174 in Charton and Camden County are separated from the rest of the district by a 2 hour drive around the Okefenokee Swamp), & 176.
It honestly looks like the more south they went the less keeping districts regional mattered.
Rabbi Seindfield
August 12th, 2011
4:19 pm
I understand Merkleson is going to run against Cecil Staton, because when he looks in the mirror each morning he no longer will speak to her.
Rabbi Seindfield
August 12th, 2011
4:21 pm
http://www.grassrootsfrenzy.com
honested
August 12th, 2011
4:35 pm
Considering the direction of economic growth and civil discourse since 2003, it appears the republicans are intent on locking in a permanent downward spiral.
The General
August 12th, 2011
4:35 pm
I have it on good word that Beth moved back to Ohio to settle her mom’s estate, but perhaps she can legislate via email from there. She seems to enjoy that particular medium of communication.
current....
August 12th, 2011
4:41 pm
where can we view the current map? can’t find on state web site
honested
August 12th, 2011
5:12 pm
Does ALEC do this for the General Assembly for free or are Taxpayer funds involved?
To ‘current….’s question, the Map is on the Joint House Senate Redistricting Committee Website
yuzeyurbrane
August 12th, 2011
5:43 pm
Pat Gardner is losing part of her liberal base in Druid Hills. Druid Hills looks like it is the head of snakelike creature that heads south down Moreland Avenue all the way to the Clayton County line. Excuse me Speaker Ralston, you are quite the little impressionistic artist.
Einsteindawg
August 12th, 2011
5:47 pm
Other than two DUIs, what has Hooks done for his district?
Georgia Voter
August 12th, 2011
5:49 pm
Was Tyrone Brooks drawn out of his district? Also, looks like Doug Stoner took the $$$$ district and gave Horacena Tate the Mabelton area.
Sick of Republicans
August 12th, 2011
5:59 pm
Only two kinds of Republicans – millionaires and suckers – but both have one thing in common – no compassion and not humble.
Cobb Voter
August 12th, 2011
6:08 pm
@findog:
It doesn’t look like the map is drawn to bring in new “conservative blood.” As a matter of fact, moderates and former Democrats appear to have been protected if at all possible. Go look at people who switched from D to R this time and you will see that if they could be saved, they were.
Einsteindawg
August 12th, 2011
6:16 pm
The maps look good to me. Next step, make it illegal for lawyers, real estate salesmen, and motivational speakers to run. We need folks that know how to run a business. How’s Ralston and Chip Rogers working out?
honested
August 12th, 2011
6:30 pm
The Metro area districts seem to have been drawn to eliminate integrity of neighborhoods and citizen cohesion.
How does this provide for good governance?
jondoe
August 12th, 2011
6:54 pm
Matt Dollar picks up a good bit of Bobby Franklin’s district and the district #, and likely opposition.
Alabama Communist
August 12th, 2011
7:16 pm
WOW! The Republicans have finally made Georgia a total police state with O competition……….
cs
August 12th, 2011
7:23 pm
looks like some gerrymandered chit drawn by the roy barnes crowd? ware in three different districts? this is what we get for backing the republicans for a decade?
Aquagirl
August 12th, 2011
7:41 pm
I have it on good word that Beth moved back to Ohio to settle her mom’s estate, but perhaps she can legislate via email from there.
How tragic! I would send flowers but have no address. Maybe Cecil Staton’s office would be kind enough to forward them.
The General
August 12th, 2011
7:45 pm
@ Aquagirl
I’m sure the good senator is in regular contact with her.
Rabbi Seindfield
August 12th, 2011
7:51 pm
There was a false report on Beth.
http://www.smwfuneralhomes.com/component/content/article/6-more-ohio-funeral-homes/2691-there-is-no-truth-to-the-rumor-that-beth-merkelson-moved-to-wisconsin-after-her-mothers-funeral-in-ohio-gapol.html