Legislature poised to change political boundaries

Published 8:54 am Wednesday, January 12, 2022

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The Kentucky House and Senate passed bills establishing the commonwealth’s new legislative and congressional boundaries last Saturday, and if they remain intact, there will be some changes for Jessamine County.

The area currently belongs to House Districts 39 and 55, and Senate District 22.

The 39th is currently compromised of all of Nicholasville and southern sections of the county and portions of southern Fayette County. First-term Republican Rep. Matt Lockett currently represents it.

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Under the proposed bills, the 39th would again incorporate Nicholasville and northern portions of the county and parts of Fayette near the county line.

The 55th comprises Wilmore and the section of Jessamine County running along U.S. Route 68, and the entirety of Mercer and Washington counties. Long-time Rep. King King of Harrodsburg represents it.

Under the proposed legislation, the district would be split in half. The 55th would still include the U.S. 68 corridor in the county and Mercer and Washington counties. The Wilmore area would move to the 56th district and share a representative with Woodford County.

The 22nd under its current makeup is made up of all of Jessamine, Washington, Garrard and Mercer counties, and a sliver of southern Fayette. It is represented by first-term State Sen. Donald Douglas, a Republican.

Under the proposed legislation, the district would include all Jessamine and Garrard counties, and significant portions of south Lexington.
Jessamine County would also stay in Kentucky’s Sixth Congressional District, currently represented by long-time Republican Rep. Andy Barr.

The bills currently await a signature from Gov. Andy Beshear. Republicans have a supermajority in both chambers of the General Assembly and could easily override a veto.