Davidson County lawmakers slam GOP’s congressional map splitting Nashville

NASHVILLE — Members of the Davidson County legislative delegation say “everyone loses when politicians rig maps” after the GOP released Wednesday its proposed district map for Tennessee’s nine U.S. House districts.

This is the proposed U.S. House district map released by state House Republicans on Wednesday. The map has hallmark signs of racial and political gerrymandering.

Sen. Heidi Campbell, chairwoman of the Davidson County delegation, released the statement immediately following a committee meeting where Republicans introduced and approved the map:

“Everyone loses when politicians rig maps purely for political gain. Communities lose representation. Minority groups lose access to the political process. And voters lose real choices at the ballot box.

“Since the districting process began, we have consistently called for communities, like our cities and counties, to be kept together. A community, like a city or county, has specific needs that only get addressed when elected officials are responsive to voters. Just like voters have the ability to hold mayors accountable for addressing their community’s needs, so should voters be able to hold their legislative representatives to account.

“Rigging a map by dividing a community like Nashville will deny Davidson County voters a congressional representative who is solely focused on local issues. And it also denies suburban and rural counties an elected official who is focused on their community’s concerns.

“By carving up Nashville, Republicans will dilute the voting power of minority groups in Middle Tennessee. Federal law and the U.S. Supreme Court have said consistently that district maps should preserve the voting strength of minority groups. It’s good policy, but it’s also a more accurate reflection of the families in our state.

“Lastly, Republicans should know this: splitting Nashville among multiple congressional districts may create a short-term GOP gain, but it’s also going to unleash a wave of Democratic organizing in places that haven’t seen competitive campaigns in a long time. There may very well be consequences, and soon, for unmitigated political hubris.”

The Davidson County Legislative Delegation includes both Tennessee senators and representatives from Davidson County.

In addition to dividing Davidson County, the Republican map also splits Shelby County, Benton County, Williamson County, Wilson County, Scott County, Campbell County, Rhea County and Hancock County.