Democratic Congressman Ben Chandler will have several new Kentucky counties to get familiar with as he fights for a fifth term in office. A new legislative district map now includes all of Scott County and part of Harrison County in the 6th District, as well as Nicholas, Robertson, Fleming, Bath, Menifee, and Wolfe counties.But new boundaries also mean residents of Garrard, Mercer, Boyle, and Lincoln counties are no longer Chandler's constituents.
"I'm going to miss the people I've been representing and I'm sorry to lose them. At the same time, I'm very excited to represent the new people who are coming into the new district," says Chandler.
Redistricting is required every ten years to adjust for population changes. Chandler described the new congressional map as a compromise and the result of a messy process.
The boundaries were approved Friday by the Kentucky General Assembly, but several Republican members voted against the measure. State Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr even called it "the Ben Chandler Lifetime Employment Act."
"She can say what she wants," Chandler responded Tuesday. "Everybody has to run every two years."
With the new counties, Chandler could stand a better chance of winning re-election this fall. He will likely face Republican Andy Barr in a re-match of a very close 2010 race. Three other republicans have filed to run for the 6th District.
