March 3, 2025 Story by: Publisher
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Senate has approved a new redistricting plan, setting the stage for changes to the state’s legislative boundaries ahead of upcoming elections. The proposal, which passed largely along partisan lines, is expected to shape political representation for the next decade.
Supporters argue that the plan ensures fair representation and accounts for population shifts recorded in the most recent U.S. Census. However, critics, including some Democratic lawmakers and civil rights advocates, contend that the map dilutes the voting power of Black communities and could weaken their influence in key districts.
Sen. John Polk, a Republican involved in the redistricting process, defended the plan as a legally sound and necessary adjustment. Meanwhile, opponents, including Sen. Michael McLendon, a Republican from Hernando, raised concerns about the impact on minority voters and called for greater transparency in how the district lines were drawn.
The proposal places McLendon, who is white, and Sen. Reginald Jackson, a Democrat from Marks who is Black, in the same district. The redrawn District 1 now has a Black voting-age population of 52.4%.
McLendon spoke against the plan, arguing that the process lacked transparency and was unfair to his home city of Hernando.
“I don’t want to be pushed out of here,” McLendon said.
The plan also groups two Republican senators from the Hattiesburg area, Chris Johnson and John Polk, into District 44. Polk announced on the Senate floor that he would not seek reelection, making Johnson the only incumbent in the race.
Redrawn Senate Districts
The redistricting plan alters the following Senate districts:
- Senate District 1 – Sen. Michael McLendon, R-Hernando, and Sen. Reginald Jackson, D-Marks
- Senate District 2 – Sen. David Parker, R-Olive Branch
- Senate District 10 – Sen. Neil Whaley, R-Potts Camp
- Senate District 11 – New Senate district in DeSoto County with no incumbent
- Senate District 19 – Sen. Kevin Blackwell, R-Southaven
- Senate District 34 – Sen. Juan Barnett, D-Heidelburg
- Senate District 41 – Sen. Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall
- Senate District 42 – Sen. Robin Robinson, R-Laurel
- Senate District 44 – Sen. John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, and Sen. Chris Johnson, R-Hattiesburg
- Senate District 45 – New district in Lamar County with no incumbent
McLendon and Sen. Derrick Simmons, a Democrat from Greenville, introduced amendments proposing alternative maps, but both were rejected.
Simmons, the Senate’s Democratic leader, opposed the plan because he believes no incumbent senators should be forced into the same district.
Earlier this session, the House approved its own redistricting plan, which redrew five districts in north Mississippi and made the House district in Chickasaw County a majority-Black district.
Sen. Dean Kirby, a Republican, told reporters he believes the House and Senate have a “gentleman’s agreement” to approve each other’s redistricting plans, a practice that has historically been customary.
Under the legislation, the qualifying period for new elections will run from May 19 to May 30. The primary election is scheduled for August 5, with a potential runoff on September 2 and the general election on November 4.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has no direct authority over legislative redistricting. Once the Legislature finalizes the plan, it will go before federal courts for approval.
