With S.C. House approving also, plan now goes to governor, Justice Department
The General Assembly approved new congressional districts Tuesday, drawing a new 7th Congressional District in the Pee Dee with Horry County serving as its anchor.
The plan still needs approval from Gov. Nikki Haley. Because of South Carolina's history of racial discrimination, changes to political lines must be approved by the U.S. Justice Department.
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At issue is who represents South Carolina in Washington. Because of the state's population growth during the past decade, it qualifies for an additional, 7th district in Congress.
The Senate approved the plan late Tuesday afternoon by a 24-16 vote.
The new Horry-anchored district does not please all lawmakers -- particularly senators in the Beaufort area and some Democrats who wanted a new district in the Lowcountry with Beaufort County as its anchor. But it's the best compromise plan lawmakers could agree on, said Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston.
"It brings all of that northeastern beach community together in one congressional district," McConnell said, adding Pee Dee residents, bound together by their tourism focus, have spoken loudly of their desire to have their own district.
Tuesday, about 50 Pee Dee residents lobbied lawmakers at the State House, urging them to put the district in their backyard.
"We have millions of dollars (from) tourists who come through Florence and the Pee Dee to Myrtle Beach," said Johnnie Bellamy, chairwoman of the Horry County Republican Party, in the State House lobby. "We have serious infrastructure needs. We have road needs. We need representation in Washington to help us with the concerns."
Some senators unsuccessfully argued Horry County is so much more heavily populated than the other seven, surrounding counties in the new district, that representation will be slanted.
"There rural districts will be eaten up by Horry County," said state Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington. "We just want representation for these little districts and they won't get it under this plan."
At least one backer of the Beaufort-centered district, state Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, backed down. Davis voted for the Horry plan.
"I'm not willing to roll the dice and let the federal district court draw the lines for us," Davis said. "A bitter pill but I have to swallow it."
The House approved the district earlier Tuesday.
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