TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A plan for redrawing Kansas Senate districts is drawing strong protests because of how it was drafted by the Reapportionment Committee chairman.
Chairman Tim Owens adjusted political boundaries so his challenger in the Republican primary is in a different district.
The plan from Owens, an Overland Park Republican, also helps Sen. Carolyn McGinn, of Sedgwick, a fellow moderate Republican. She is chairwoman of the budget-writing Senate Ways and Means Committee.
McGinn’s conservative primary challenger would be moved to a district with two incumbent conservative GOP senators.
Owens said Tuesday that his proposal is only a starting point for his committee’s discussions. He says he didn’t draw district lines with any particular incumbents or challenger in mind.
But conservative Republicans are suspicious, and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce condemned Owens’ plan.
