Hawk's 5th District
Now Represents
About 90 Percent
Of Greene County
BY KRISTEN BUCKLES
STAFF WRITER
Greene County's 5th and 11th House Districts have undergone a sweeping change following recent redistricting signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam.
The 5th House District, held by Republican David Hawk, now ecompasses about 90 percent of the county.
The 11th House District, currently held by first-term Republican Jeremy Faison, now includes only a handful of precincts in western Greene County.
Currently, Faison, and prior to him Democrat Eddie Yokley, have represented all Greene Countians living south and west of Greeneville, plus all of Cocke County.
The 1st Senate District, held by Republican Steve Southerland, would not change in relation to Greene County as a result of the redistricting process carried out by the Republican-controlled Tennessee General Assembly.
Republican U.S. Rep. Phil Roe's 1st Congressional District did not change so far as Greene County is concerned. The entire county remains in the 1st District.
Gov. Haslam's approval of the redistricting maps for the state House of Representatives and the congressional districts made the changes final.
The new maps were released on the Tennessee General Assembly website.
The governor is also expected to soon sign his approval of the state Senate's redistricting map, which has encountered delays because of a reported oversight -- the omission of Tipton County.
TAKES EFFECT IN NOV.
The redistricting changes will take effect during the state and federal primaries in August and the state and federal general elections in November.
Greene County Administrator of Elections Donna Burgner said the Election Commission Office will send out new voter ID cards and information to each registered voter detailing the changes following the March primary elections.
Any changes that the Election Commission may make to combine precincts will not change the state redistricting situation, Burgner said.
By federal law, the state must undergo redistricting every 10 years following the U.S. Census to ensure that any changes in population have not negatively affected the fair and even representation of citizens.
HOUSE CHANGES
If re-elected, Faison, R-11th, of Cosby, will no longer represent the approximately 20,000 Greene Countians he currently represents.
Instead, he will represent only the Greene County precincts of Caney Branch, Mohawk, Orebank, McDonald and South Greene.
Faison estimated about 8,000 Greene Countians live in those precincts.
Faison is a freshman legislator who was elected in 2010, upsetting incumbent Democrat Eddie Yokley.
"I really enjoy all of Greene County, and I'm saddened that I lost a huge portion of it," Faison said. "I only get to represent in one term all those people that I met and built friendships with."
In compensation for the loss in Greene County, the 11th District will now include portions of Jefferson County besides continuing to include all of Cocke County.
"I'm excited to meet new people in Jefferson County and hit the floor running," Faison said.
"David Hawk is a fine representative, and I'm pleased that [Greene Countians] are being left in his hands," Faison added.
Faison said he will remain as Greene County's "biggest advocate in the House of Representatives, outside of David Hawk."
5TH HOUSE DISTRICT
If re-elected, Hawk will represent about 90 percent of Greene County now that the lion's share of the previous 11th District has been moved into the 5th District.
Greene County precincts that have been added to the 5th District (one of which Hawk indicated the 5th and 11th Districts may share) include Mt. Pleasant, DeBusk, Flag Branch, Sunnyside, Warrensburg, Midway, Mosheim, Glenwood and Mt. Carmel.
The redistricting plan positions Hawk's district solely in Greene County. The 5th District previously included all of Unicoi County.
"I'm excited to represent even more of my hometown folks in the years to come," Hawk said.
"I regret losing Unicoi County because I've built relationships over the last 12 years that I enjoy, and I will continue those relationships even though I'm not representing them in the legislature," he said.
1ST SENATE DISTRICT
If the governor signs and approves the Senate map as is, the 1st Senate District currently represented by Republican Steve Southerland, of Morristown, will not change in relation to Greene County.
The 1st Senate District has, however, changed in that it would no longer include Unicoi County, based on recently-released maps.
Instead, Southerland's district would now encompass portions of Sevier County.
"I will lose beautiful Unicoi County, but I will pick up part of beautiful Sevier County," Southerland said.
"Up in Unicoi County, I'll miss my friends," he added. "I've built some good relationships, but I'm sure I'll be able to make good friends up in Sevier County."
1ST CONGRESSIONAL DIST.
Changes in Tennessee's 1st Congressional District, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, of Johnson City, also did not apply to Greene County.
"It is an honor to serve the 1st District of Tennessee, and I am pleased the new district will include all of Sevier County and parts of Jefferson County," Roe said.
"I look forward to introducing myself to these new areas, and sharing with them my record as Representative of the existing First District.
"I will continue fighting for East Tennessee values, and I will continue communicating a common-sense approach to Congress to get our nation back on track," Roe added.
