Regional Differences Complicate Redistricting In Kansas

Regional differences are complicating a
redistricting debate in the Kansas Legislature that already is
contentious because of political tensions.
State senators are reviewing proposals for redrawing their
districts in committee and huddling over maps in pairs and small
groups. Some Republicans want to use redistricting to maintain the
GOP’s dominance, while some GOP conservatives worry about a
bipartisan alliance cutting them out.
Enacting a Senate redistricting plan also is proving tricky
because some rural senators are hoping to preserve their collective
clout, despite population losses over the past decade.
If they’re successful, they could keep Johnson County, in the
Kansas City area, from gaining a senator, though it has gained by
far the most residents over the past decade.