Georgia released its redistricting proposal on Wednesday, one that would shore up Republican control of the state by giving the GOP an opportunity to flip at least one seat red.
Republicans currently hold an 8-6 majority in the districts within the Peach State, but the new maps would stretch the 6th congressional district, which typically encompass suburban Atlanta, to include conservative-leaning regions in Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth counties, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath (Ga.) represents that district.
The new maps would transform the territory from a district competitive for Democrats to one highly favorable for Republicans, according to FiveThirtyEight.
The maps now have to be approved by the state House and Senate before heading to Gov. Brian Kemp’s (R) desk, but the state’s General Assembly, which is led by GOP officials, is planning to quickly approve of the proposals ahead of next year’s midterm elections, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution noted.
Republicans control both chambers of the legislature and have enough votes to approve the maps even if Democrats object to the new lines, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
With redistricting proposals out in more than half of the U.S. states thus far, it appears that Republicans are poised to pick up seats in next year’s races in Montana, New Hampshire and Wisconsin.
The party, however, will most likely lose a seat in West Virginia.
McBath, whose chances for reelection will hang in the balance if the new congressional maps are approved, has been labeled a vulnerable Democrat by the National Republican Congressional Committee, which plans to target those lawmakers ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
McBath’s campaign manager blasted Republicans in a statement, contending that they have made ousting the congresswoman their top priority.
“Georgia Republicans, the NRA and the Republican Party have made eliminating Lucy McBath from Congress their top priority, and they are attempting to do so in a remarkably undemocratic process,” campaign manager Jake Orvis said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“It is disappointing to see Republicans in the state legislature attempt to suppress the hundreds of thousands of voters represented by Rep. McBath,” he added.
A draft redistricting proposal put forth by Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R) and state Sen. John Kennedy (R) in September also targeted McBath, stretching her district into Forsyth County, which heavily went for former President Trump in 2020, and out of DeKalb County, which overwhelmingly supported President Biden in the race.