A Tennessean In Charge Of National GOP Redistricting

By Kleinheider Posted on May 17, 2009 at 10:49 am

Executive committeeman John Ryder’s work will likely affect who represents you more than any campaign can:

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on Friday named Tennessee National Committeeman John Ryder, of Memphis, as chairman of the party’s redistricting committee.

“John has been a tireless advocate of Republican principles both in the state of Tennessee and across the country, and I look forward to working with him to prepare state parties for redistricting efforts following the 2010 national census,” Mr. Steele said in a statement.

Mr. Ryder has been representing the GOP in redistricting cases since 1976, according to a news release.

SEE ALSO: The presser

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Tags: John Ryder, Michael Steele, redistricting, RNC  

Mike Faulk Makes Clear What His Campaign Is Really About

By Kleinheider Posted on October 9, 2008 at 10:06 am

The battle for control of the Senate is about holding the redistricting pen:

Today, we are in another important battle and its outcome may also be a turning point in the direction taken by the State of Tennessee. Tennessee’s Senate is divided with 16 Republicans, 16 Democrats and 1 Independent.

The outcome of the election for Senate District 4 will likely determine for years to come the direction taken by our party and our state. In fact, the winner of this State Senate election may very well determine whose hand holds the pen used to draw the lines for redistricting every State House and State Senate seat and the lines for each of Tennessee’s Congressional Districts.

RELATED: Mike Slater

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Tags: Mike Faulk, redistricting, Republicans, Tennessee  

First, You Hit The Hot Button Issue, Then, You Get The Votes And Then You Get The Redistricting Pen

By Kleinheider Posted on April 23, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Jeff Woods puts his finger on what the Family Action Council of TN and the Republican Party’s real aim is when pushing SJR 127, a resolution which would put before the voters an amendment to the state constitution giving the legislature more latitude on the issue of abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned:

What it’s really all about is politics. Republicans would love to stick an abortion referendum on the 2010 ballot to boost turnout for the next governor’s election.

The boost is critical not due to just wanting to recapture the Governor’s mansion (which surely they do) but because 2010 is when redistricting would traditionally occur and whomever controls the legislature holds the pen that draws the districts.

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Tags: 2010 Gubernatorial Election, David Fowler, redistricting, SJR 127