Friday, August 31,
2001
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James sets sights on new Congress seat By JOHN
THOMPSON Although state Sen. Donzella James is relatively happy with her newly drawn 35th District, she will form an exploratory committee to find out if she should run for a newly created congressional district. The state Legislature has approved and Gov. Roy Barnes has signed new state House and Senate maps, and the Senate Thursday was expected to approve a new U.S. congressional map. Redrawing the districts is an every-ten-year exercise designed to keep population evenly distributed between districts. James has her sight set on the 13th congressional District, which meanders from Norcross, down the perimeter highway into South Fulton, across the county line into Douglas County and north to Marietta. James would live in the new district and said if the people want her to run, she will. "I want to make sure the citizens of South Fulton get their fair share in federal dollars," she said. If she chooses not to run for Congress, James will represent a slightly different state Senate district than she has in the past. "I've lost a lot of key precincts in East Point and Atlanta, but I picked up areas in Douglasville and Lithia Springs," she said. James said her new district would still be diverse and she would represent her new constituents with the same vigilance that has made her a popular figure in South Fulton County. In looking at the overall redistricting picture, the senator had some sharp criticisms. "I've never been in favor of multimember districts. I think it dilutes black voting strength and I think people should have one person they can go to," she said. James said the state Senate map has already been signed by Gov. Roy Barnes and she doesn't expect a court challenge to that map. But, when it comes to the state House and congressional maps, "I think we're going to be tied up in court a long time. We need to come to some sort of agreement, because nobody will be happy if the [U.S.] Justice Department draws the maps," she said.
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