In a historic first opportunity, the Republican Mississippi House plan increases the number of minority majority districts by three (3) from 39 to 42, all with strong minority voting strength. Of course, the Democrats complain that the plan endangers the entrenched white Democratic establishment. There is the real possibility that white Democrats, in controlling the redistricting process for over a century, intentionally unrepresented minority representation for partisan reasons.
House Elections Chairman Bill Denny, a Jackson Republican, says the
changes preserve black-majority districts and reflect population shifts
since the last Census.
The vote came after a long debate that at times seemed
most about Democrats laying the groundwork for a lawsuit. The debate
included a vote that turned down an alternative map offered by Rep.
Omeria Scott, a Laurel Democrat.
Republicans, holding a majority for the first time
since Reconstruction, drew a map matching five pairs of House members.
Of those pairings, four are likely to eliminate a sitting Democrat, and
one is likely to eliminate a Republican.
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