Georgia Democrats’ proposed Congressional map
As the redistricting special session is set to get underway in two weeks, there is some cause for concern among Democrats. Despite their success in Georgia’s presidential election and the two seat win for the Senate in January runoffs, Republicans still control the governor’s mansion, the state Senate and state House.
In an effort to get out ahead of that, Democrats in the Georgia legislature have released their own map that would result in seven Democrats and seven Republicans in Washington. The tally currently sits at eight Republicans and six Democrats.
Politicos have speculated that Georgia Republicans could draw themselves a ninth seat, cutting some voters out of either Representative Carolyn Bordeaux’s 7th district or Lucy McBath’s sixth district and making them lean more Republican. The danger for Republicans is if they cut too many Democrat voters out of one, the other seat may be a lock for Democrats for the foreseeable future. If they don’t cut out enough, slims margins and still explosive growth could mean Democrats could hold onto both.
There has been some speculation that Republicans might target one of the seats in more rural south Georgia, but that would likely mean going after black voters and the seat of Georgia’s longest serving congressman, Sanford Bishop in the 2nd district. Bishop is a powerful force in Washington, bringing home plenty of benefits for his district and South Georgia in general.
“Georgia has changed significantly over the last decade, and our proposed congressional map reflects that growth. We are proud to have collaborated with Georgia House and Senate Democrats to devise a congressional map that recognizes Georgia’s rich diversity and evolving political landscape,” said Bishop. “Georgia voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around, and this map guarantees that.”
The odds of Republicans at the Capitol in Atlanta taking much input from the Democrats is low to say the least. They are not forced to at all and will have tremendous pressure to grab an extra seat going into the vital House elections next year which could result in Republicans regaining control of the already extremely thin margin.
“Georgia Democrats have spent the past several months engaging with the public on the redistricting process, and this proposal is a culmination of those extensive conversations,” said State Representative James Beverly, House Minority Leader. “This map reflects what the people of Georgia have said is important to them – fairness, transparency, inclusivity, and integrity. We will continue fighting throughout the special legislative session for maps that embody those values and for all Georgians’ voices to be heard in our democracy.”
The Democrats point out that minorities make up a majority of residents in six of the fourteen Georgia districts. Additionally, they note that population growth is continuing to center around metro Atlanta, with more than half of all Georgians living in metro Atlanta.
‘As we crafted this proposed map, we wanted to ensure that it takes into account population trends within Georgia, reflects the will of Georgia voters at the ballot box, and allows voters of color an equal opportunity to elect their candidates of choice. This proposal accomplishes all three of these goals,” said State Senator Gloria Butler, Senate Minority Leader. “As stewards of the trust bestowed in us by the people of Georgia, we will always work to ensure that districts belong to citizens – not to elected officials.”
