Kentucky Republicans have approved a state Senate redistricting plan that could force at least four Democrats out of office and end up giving two of the seats to Republicans, according to the
Louisville Courier-Journal.
The newspaper reported Thursday that one of the Democratic districts was also renumbered, apparently to force out Democratic Sen. Kathy Stein, who is considered by many to be the Kentucky Senate’s “most liberal member.”
The renumbering of Stein’s district will force her out of office at the end of the year, and she can’t run again until 2014, according to the Courier-Journal, because her home will now be located in another district that is not up for election this year.
Making things even worse for Democrats, the Republicans — who control the Senate by a 22-15 margin — also lumped together two Democratic senators related by marriage into one district, forcing them to face off against each other in the 2014 election.
“I think we’ve reached the zenith of partisanship with this bill,” Democratic Sen. Jerry Rhoads told the Courier-Journal.
Republicans defended their actions, saying the Senate redistricting bill was designed to pass any constitutional challenges.
They also pointed out that Republicans will likely lose at least six seats in the Kentucky House races this year because of the new redistricting plan drawn up by the Democratic majority in that chamber.
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