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Kentucky House Redistricting Plan Would Put DeCesare, Embry in Same District

Redistricting maps released Friday afternoon in Frankfort by Kentucky House leaders would place an equal number of Democratic and Republican incumbents in the same districts.

The Democratic proposal would put Republicans Jim DeCesare of Warren County and C.B. Embry, Jr., of Butler County in the same district.

Embry told WKU Public Radio he and DeCesare are prepared for that possibility.

"He's one of my closest friends in the House, and we talk often," said the Morgantown Republican. "We've discussed this many times, and we will continue to talk over the coming week."

Both Embry and DeCesare have previously said they will wait until the new redistricting maps are passed and signed into law by Governor Beshear before they commit to any future election plans.

The House plan released Friday would also place Madisonville GOP Representative Ben Waide in the same district as fellow Republican Myron Dossett of Christian County.

Daviess County Democratic Rep. Tommy Thompson says he understands those lawmakers will be upset with the prospect of having to take on a member of their own party in a primary.

"But I'm confident that we're going to have a map that's constitutionality supported and constitutionally valid, and that we'll be able to get our work done in five days and have new districts relative to the 2014 elections," the Philpot Democrat told WKU Public Radio.

The House plan puts two Democratic incumbents in eastern Kentucky, John Will Stacy and Hubert Collins, in the same district. The maps do the same to Democratic Representatives Rocky Adkins and Kevin Sinnette, who both represent areas in northeastern Kentucky.

Kentucky House Republicans released their redistricting proposal earlier this month.

Kentucky lawmakers gather in Frankfort Monday for a special session aimed at getting new redistricting maps passed in five days--the shortest length of time such a session can begin and end under state law.

Correction: A previous version of this story stated that a House GOP redistricting plan also put C.B. Embry and Jim DeCesare in the same district. In fact, the House Republican map placed Mr. Embry in a district with incumbent Democrat Brent Yonts.

Kevin is the News Director at WKU Public Radio. He has been with the station since 1999, and was previously the Assistant News Director, and also served as local host of Morning Edition.
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