State Reps To Deal With Redistricting Today

State lawmakers are meeting today to discuss redistricting congressional boundaries.

The redistricting process is mandated every 10 years by new Census Data which reflects population changes. The changes give South Carolina a new seventh congressional district and much of the discussion in both chambers has been where the new district should be placed.

Both the Senate and House proposals would place the new districts in the Lowcountry, much to the dismay of Sen. David Thomas, whose district includes Mauldin.

“The new district should be in the Upstate,” Thomas said. “I have nothing against the Lowcountry, but I am unhappy with the new district being there. More growth has taken place in the Upstate.”

While Mauldin would not appear to be affected by either the Senate or House proposal and would keep Trey Gowdy as its congressman, Golden Strip neighbors Fountain Inn and Simpsonville could be affected.

If the Senate and House can come up with a compromise, it would still need to be approved by the Department of Justice. But Thomas is not optimistic. “This whole process has been a mess,” he said.