MSGOP House Plan Map
MSGOP House Plan Components Report
MSGOP Senate Plan Map
MSGOP Senate Plan Components Report
The MSGOP is pushing these map as preferable because it has only 1% population deviation. The problem is, these maps are a drastic departure from current lines, and will cause widespread voter confusion. Furthermore, there has been no public input in the formulation of these maps, nor has there been legislative consideration.
There are a couple of pairings of House incumbents that stand out quickly in the MSGOP plan:
- Bobby Moak (D-Bogue Chitto) and Becky Currie (R-Brookhaven)
- Mark Baker (R-Brandon) and Kevin McGee (R-Brandon)
- Tommy Reynolds (D-Charleston) and Bobby Howell (R-Kilmichael)
Moak vs. Currie? That's the GOP trying to take out a Democratic front runner in the Speaker's race should Speaker McCoy not run again.
Baker vs. McGee? This is a very interesting pairing, as the MSGOP is pitting two incumbent Republicans against one another. There are two possible reasons for this. First, Baker has been more willing to work towards a redistricting compromise than some Republicans may like, and this is could be payback. Second, the MSGOP belongs to Haley Barbour, a member of the old line Delta Republican faction (Clarke Reed's line). Across the divide from that faction is Billy Powell's Rankin County power base. Throwing Rankin County Republicans to the wolves wouldn't be of great discomfort to Barbour's Republicans, who tend to be less stridently socially conservative than Rankin County Republicans.
Reynolds vs. Howell? This is clearly a shot at Rep. Tommy Reynolds, who chaired the redistricting process in the House.
More as I find 'em...
P.S. - John Diez (or Diaz, as it's spelled both ways in the MSGOP Response to the Order Setting Hearing), was hired by the MSGOP some time ago. He's a consultant with Magellan Strategies BR, Inc., and he's the guy who drew these lines.