Dems: Speaker’s race at hub of remap debate

Dems: Speaker’s race at hub of remap debate

JACKSON — Some Mississippi House Democrats said Friday that Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant is asking them to undermine their own power by drawing House districts that would be more favorable to the GOP.

“He’s asking us to commit political suicide,” said Rep. Ed Blackmon, D-Canton.

Mississippi lawmakers are trying to update the 122 districts in the Democratic-controlled House and the 52 districts in the Republican-controlled Senate to reflect changes revealed by the 2010 Census. Among other changes, the population has increased dramatically in DeSoto County, just south of Memphis, Tenn., while the rural Delta has lost residents.

AP
3/29/11