Flickr photo by Holley St. GermaineThe Kansas House has given first-round approval to a congressional redistricting plan that splits Lawrence. The map would put part of north and east Lawrence in the 1st District of western Kansas. Some opponents argued that the plan is aimed at protecting Republican incumbents in Congress. Representative Barbara Ballard, a Democrat from Lawrence, said the 1st District is not a good fit for the community.
Olathe Republican Lance Kinzer pointed out that the 1st District needs to gain population. He said taking people from Lawrence or another community in eastern Kansas is the easiest way to achieve that. He said there was no political motive behind splitting Democratic-leaning Lawrence.
The House will still need to take a final vote on the plan.