By Jamie Gardner
The 2011 Georgia reapportionment/redistricting process has been interesting for Appling County to say the least. First the county and the City of Baxley were literally split in half in state house redistricting and now, according to the proposed congressional districts map released by the joint Georgia Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee, Appling will be moved out of the First Congressional District that is represented by U.S. Representative Jack Kingston (R - Savannah). The map shows the county could be in the 12th Congressional District, which is represented by U.S. Representative John Barrow (D - Savannah).
NEW PROPOSED CONGRESSIONAL MAP RELEASED FOR STATE, INCLUDES NEW DISTRICT IN NORTH GEORGIA
Goodbye Kingston, Hello Barrow
In the last redistricting process, Chatham County was divided between Barrow and Kingston, as Barrow represented the northern portion and Kingston the southern portion. Under the new map, Kingston would now have all of Chatham County. Barrow would now have all of Richmond County/Augusta, which he shared with the 10th Congressional District. This also means that if Barrow plans to run for Congress again he has two options, stay in Savannah and face Kingston in a race for the First Congressional District, or move to an area within the proposed 12th District.
However, please keep in mind that all of the 2011 proposed maps are still subject to review. Although Georgia’s Congressional and legislative maps are usually reviewed by the Department of Justice, state Republicans are looking to sidestep DOJ review. As an alternative to the Justice Department review, the Voting Rights Act permits states to file a declaratory judgment action in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. A panel of judges would then review the maps. The move is intended to avoid what many state Republicans believe is a biased President Obama-appointed DOJ. Such a move would not be unprecedented since Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes similarly bypassed the Ashcroft Department of Justice in 2001.
According to population growth from 2000 to 2010, the state will also have an added district. The new 14th Congressional District will be located in the northwestern portion of the state
U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) issued the following statement in response to the reapportionment maps released today by the Georgia State Legislature:
“This isn’t the first time the folks in Atlanta have put politics above the interests of the people I represent... and I doubt it will be the last. But I’ve always believed that working hard for the people trumps politics every time.
“Our country is facing a number of critical challenges, from cutting spending and getting our fiscal house in order to helping small business succeed and creating new jobs in our district. As Washington prepares to return from the district work period, these challenges will be at the front of my mind, and I plan to continue approaching my public service in the same way I’ve always done: by listening to the concerns of my constituents, working to come up with smart solutions to their challenges, and putting their interests ahead of party or politics.
“I look forward to getting to know the new constituents drawn in to Georgia’s 12th District, and building on the friendships I’ve formed with folks who still call the 12th District home.”
Well get ready Appling, because it looks like we could be calling the 12th District home too.
However, please keep in mind that all of the 2011 proposed maps are still subject to review. Although Georgia’s Congressional and legislative maps are usually reviewed by the Department of Justice, state Republicans are looking to sidestep DOJ review. As an alternative to the Justice Department review, the Voting Rights Act permits states to file a declaratory judgment action in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. A panel of judges would then review the maps. The move is intended to avoid what many state Republicans believe is a biased President Obama-appointed DOJ. Such a move would not be unprecedented since Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes similarly bypassed the Ashcroft Department of Justice in 2001.
According to population growth from 2000 to 2010, the state will also have an added district. The new 14th Congressional District will be located in the northwestern portion of the state
U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) issued the following statement in response to the reapportionment maps released today by the Georgia State Legislature:
“This isn’t the first time the folks in Atlanta have put politics above the interests of the people I represent... and I doubt it will be the last. But I’ve always believed that working hard for the people trumps politics every time.
“Our country is facing a number of critical challenges, from cutting spending and getting our fiscal house in order to helping small business succeed and creating new jobs in our district. As Washington prepares to return from the district work period, these challenges will be at the front of my mind, and I plan to continue approaching my public service in the same way I’ve always done: by listening to the concerns of my constituents, working to come up with smart solutions to their challenges, and putting their interests ahead of party or politics.
“I look forward to getting to know the new constituents drawn in to Georgia’s 12th District, and building on the friendships I’ve formed with folks who still call the 12th District home.”
Well get ready Appling, because it looks like we could be calling the 12th District home too.
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