House OKs Democrat-drawn redistricting map

Update: On Wednesday, the House passed a Democrat-drawn redistricting map 53-46. The bill as approved would pit several Republicans against one another in the 2014 primary election, including Rep. Lynn Bechler of Marion who would face Rep. Ben Waide of Madisonville in a redrawn 5th District that includes Crittenden, Caldwell and a portion of Hopkins County. Crittenden County currently lies in the 4th District along with Livingston, Caldwell and a portion of McCracken County.

Democrats currently control the House 55-45.

House Bill 2, sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo (D-Prestonsburg) would create seven new districts and split some current districts without violating the constitutional standard of “one person, one vote, ” Stumbo said. He also told members before the vote that the legislation meets state and federal mandates. 

Each district under HB 2 would have a population within the allowed deviation of 5 percent from 43,308—the ideal size of a House district based on the state’s total population of 4,380,415, Stumbo said.

The new map is not likely to see daylight, as GOP Senate President Robert Stivers has expressed that he is not inclined to take up the measure in the upper chamber in the waning days of the 2013 regular session.

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House Speaker Greg Stumbo unveiled proposed new boundaries for House districts Tuesday that pit incumbents against each other in six districts and create seven districts with no incumbent. In the proposal, 4th District Rep. Lynn Bechler (R-Marion) would face 10th District Rep. Ben Waide (R-Madisonville).

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