Kentucky: Republicans Break Their Crack(ing) Addiction
Battleground is a reader-supported publication. Consider supporting the newsletter through Buy Me A Coffee. Kentucky: Republicans Break Their Crack(ing) AddictionWhile the map still faces lawsuits for partisan gerrymandering, Republicans may have an easier time in court for keeping Louisville's KY-3 in tact.
Topline Takeaways
Who’s In ControlKentucky’s congressional districts are drawn by the legislature and approved by the governor. Since Republicans hold control in all three branches of state government, they held complete control over the redistricting process. District BreakdownKentucky’s previous congressional district map held a single competitive seat that leaned toward Republicans: KY-6. While the state’s old sixth district voted for Trump by a 9-point margin, the current incumbent Rep. Andy Barr (R) barely won the district in 2018 by a slim 3-point margin. Much of the map’s changes betray an intent to shore up this district as a safer win for Republicans moving forward. The state capital of Frankfort has been removed from KY-6, shifting the district into a double-digit 2020 win for Trump. But where does Frankfort go instead? Rather than wrapping the city into neighboring KY-4, Republicans made the strange decision to create a northbound tentacle in KY-1 that extends an extra 50 miles north from the district’s previous northernmost point. This new arm reaches across portions of the state’s old second congressional district, so Republicans opted to simply move KY-2 further west to allow KY-1 to stretch from Frankfort to the state’s southern border. The result: Frankfort’s coalition of Democratic voters are overwhelmed by Republican voters in Eastern Kentucky over 150 miles away. The confusing geometry of the state’s new districts has prompted gerrymandering lawsuits from Democrats; their concerns are illustrated by a quick drive down Interstate 64. The interstate connects the state’s two largest cities, Louisville and Lexington, by a 90 minute drive that manages to cross five of the state’s six new congressional districts. Locally, this region is known as Kentucky’s Golden Triangle, due to the region’s population growth and its status as the state’s economic engine. Rather than giving the area representation in Congress, Republicans opted to slice the region up into pieces that were then lumped into rural-anchored districts. Most would agree that Frankfort in central Kentucky, shouldn’t be included in the same district as the infamous Kentucky Bend, the state’s westernmost point. Republicans are hoping their decision to keep the state’s largest city untouched can help them fight back against gerrymandering allegations. Several Kentucky Republicans, including Mitch McConnell, fought against a far-right plan to “crack” Louisville and draw Democrats out of a district (as their fellow Republicans did in Tennessee.) Despite the fact that KY-3 remains in tact, current Rep. John Yarmuth has announced his retirement, creating a heated primary battle for the heavily Democratic seat. Leftover Links
A gift for me is a gift for you! Supporting Battleground unlocks paywalled content, feel free to Buy Me A Coffee or send to $battlegroundmaps via Cash app. |
Key phrases
Older messages
Tennessee: Democrats Are Drawn Out of Nashville
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
As Nashville is cracked across three new congressional districts, Rep. Jim Cooper announces his resignation from the city's old seat.
It's Tax Day for Battleground! Trying something new...
Monday, April 4, 2022
What I'm Reading This Week
Kansas: Cracking KCK
Thursday, March 31, 2022
The Republican-approved map faces several lawsuits alleging a partisan gerrymander.
Washington: Reunifying Reservations
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Racial justice is front and center in Washington's redistricting process.
Hawaii: Deep Blue Islands in the Deep Blue Sea
Monday, March 28, 2022
Republicans have no chance in Hawaii as there's simply not enough Republican voters to draw their own district.
You Might Also Like
QAnon Was Born Out of the Sex Ad Moral Panic That Took Down Backpage.com
Sunday, April 28, 2024
For years, the political establishment opportunistically railed against sex trafficking. Then came Pizzagate. Most Read QAnon Was Born Out of the Sex Ad Moral Panic That Took Down Backpage.com Trevor
Monday Briefing: Plans for Gaza’s future
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Plus, European countries crack down on China's influence. View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story Ad Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition April 29, 2024 Author Headshot By
Guest Newsletter: Five Books
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Five Books features in-depth author interviews recommending five books on a theme Guest Newsletter: Five Books By Sylvia Bishop • 28 Apr 2024 View in browser View in browser Five Books features in-
GeekWire's Most-Read Stories of the Week
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Catch up on the top tech stories from this past week. Here are the headlines that people have been reading on GeekWire. ADVERTISEMENT GeekWire SPONSOR MESSAGE: Science Firsthand: Learn how Bristol
🍿 The Hardy Boys on Acid
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Plus: 'The Lord of the Rings' Extended Cut is returning to theaters.
10 Things That Delighted Us: From Cardboard Bed Frames to Compact Makeup Stacks
Sunday, April 28, 2024
The most useful, thoughtful, and just plain fun things we uncovered this week. The Strategist Every product is independently selected by editors. If you buy something through our links, New York may
LEVER WEEKLY: Pentagon Grifts And Zombie Pipelines
Sunday, April 28, 2024
From insurance meltdowns and zombie pipelines to Pentagon grifts, here's all the news from The Lever this week. LEVER WEEKLY: Pentagon Grifts And Zombie Pipelines By The Lever • 28 Apr 2024 View in
Birds
Sunday, April 28, 2024
So hot right now ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
An urgent deadline is looming, and we’re short
Sunday, April 28, 2024
No donation is too large or too small. If there's one thing we've learned in the decade since The Intercept was founded, it's this: When you're taking on the biggest and most powerful
☕ 24/7
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Should the stock market be open 24 hours? Presented by ZitSticka April 28, 2024 | View Online | Sign Up | Shop The Spiral Bookstore in Guangzhou, China. John Ricky/Anadolu via Getty Images BROWSING