Democrats protest strategy aimed at redistricting Athens

Macon Telegraph, The (GA)

January 24, 2006

Elected officials from the Democratic stronghold of Athens on Monday gathered at the state Capitol to protest a new legislative map that would split their community in two.

Heidi Davison, mayor of Athens-Clarke County , said the proposal smacked of election-year politics.

"(O) ur citizens will have virtually no chance at fair representation by someone with whom they are politically and ideologically aligned," Davison said in a letter to Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Democrats contend the plan is intended to harm Rep. Jane Kidd, D-Athens, who is seeking the region's state Senate seat, and to boost the prospects of Republican candidate Bill Cowsert, the brother-in-law of the GOP state senator vacating the seat. State Sen. Brian Kemp, R-Athens, is leaving to run for state agriculture commissioner.

The redistricting bill was drafted by state Sen. Ralph Hudgens, R-Comer, who claimed he is simply fulfilling a promise he made to voters in rural Madison County to create a district that would keep their county intact. It passed the state Senate 34-18 last week.

Kemp said the new map would increase Athens ' political clout in state government.

But Democrats say it is unprecedented for a state lawmaker outside of the affected district to push for a new map without consulting local lawmakers.

As it currently stands, the state Senate district includes all of Athens . Hudgens' bill would put half the city into a district with neighboring, Republican-leaning Walton County .

Davison and other Democrats sent Perdue a letter protesting the bill and the "subterfuge" they said was involved in drafting it. A protest petition is also circulating in Athens and Davison said about 500 people had signed so far.

The current district lines were drawn by a panel of federal judges after a dispute between state lawmakers. The measure must be acted on by the House.

Rep. Keith Heard, D-Athens, said Monday he would introduce a bill to keep the district lines in Athens whole.

Any changes to voting law in Georgia must be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice before they take effect.

 

Edition:  ho
Page:  a

Provided By:  Knight-Ridder Digital

Index Terms: POLITICAL

Location(s):  Athens; Georgia
Personal Name(s):  Heidi Davison; Sonny Perdue; Jane Kidd; Bill Cowsert; Brian Kemp; Ralph Hudgens; Keith Heard

Copyright (c) 2006 The Macon Telegraph

Record Number:  200601240301KNRIDDERGAMACONT_web.XGR.Redistricting0124