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Politico: Kentucky GOP Leaders Urge Caution On Redistricting

AP Photo/Steve Helber

Kentucky’s GOP leaders in Congress are asking state lawmakers in their own party to be careful when redrawing district lines that could hurt Democrats. 

Credit AP Photo/Steve Helber

With control over the legislature and the upcoming redistricting process, Kentucky Republicans could have a chance to break up the district belonging to the state’s only Democratic representative in Washington – Louisville’s John Yarmuth.

That’s due in part to a population shift.

"People are moving out of Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky and they're moving generally into the golden triangle, Lexington, Louisville, and Northern Kentucky," state Sen.  Damon Thayer told colleagues in June.

That, in turn, could open the door to GOP efforts to further split Yarmuth’s district and potentially turn all of the commonwealth’s U.S. House seats solid red.

But Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. James Comer are among the lawmakers counseling fellow Republicans to resist that urge. Politico reports the GOP leaders worry dealing the blow to Democrats could invite legal challenges, some of which result in the redistricting process being handed over to the courts. 

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Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now known as Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and Program Director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.