Tillis names redistricting panel
House Speaker Thom Tillis announced his appointments today to the committee that will redraw NC House district maps for the 2012 election.
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House Speaker Thom Tillis announced his appointments today to the panel that will redraw the House's district maps for the 2012 election.
There are 19 Democrats on the committee and 24 Republicans. The Rs include seven leaders from all over the state, coast to coast. Harnett Republican David Lewis will be senior chairman.
Tillis had previously said the committee's partisan makeup would reflect the balance of the House at large. He couldn't have gotten much closer. Dems make up 43 percent of the House overall, and 44 percent of the redistricting committee.
A few details that jumped out:
- The GOP side includes seven freshman, a surprisingly high number for a committee that relies on political savoir-faire.
- More than half the Democrats on the panel are African-American lawmakers. That's not proportionate to the House caucus but makes some sense in the context of voting rights issues.
- There are several Triad/ Piedmont Republicans on the panel but only one Democrat: Earline Parmon. That could be a sign the House GOP may be looking to pick up seats there.
Here's the roster as it was announced in House session today:
Sarah Stevens (R-Surry)
(*Jones is unaffiliated, but caucuses with the GOP.)
Winkie Wilkins (D-Person)
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