Redistricting Causes Controversy

Senate Republicans have created controversy in Richmond by redrawing district lines. Republicans took advantage of the absence of a single Democratic senator by approving the redistricting plan.
In Western Virginia, the plan would overhaul Senate districts in the Roanoke and New River valleys and force Democratic Senator Creigh Deeds of Bath County and Republican Senator Emmett Hanger of Augusta County into the same district. Republican Ralph Smith would gain Rockbridge and Alleghany counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Covington and Lexington, areas currently represented by Deeds. Senate Republicans proposed dissolving Deeds' district to create a new black majority district anchored in Southside Virginia.
Creigh Deeds said the plan is unconstitutional and predicted that it won't take effect. Deeds said if Governor Bob McDonnell signs the bill, it has to survive a court challenge.
If the Republican-dominated House of Delegates and Governor McDonnell approve the plan, the new Senate districts would take effect for the 2015 election and any special election that occurs before then. McDonnell would not say whether he would sign the proposed Senate districts into law if the bill reaches his desk.