House redistricting plan could kill four Democratic districts

JACKSON — A proposed redistricting plan unveiled today would increase the number of black-majority districts by one, and could target as many as four white Democrats for extinction.

That could increase the House Republican majority from today’s 64-58 margin, before considering changes that could weaken other Democrats.

The number of districts with secure black majorities would grow to 42 from 41 now. That’s 34.4 percent of the House, close to the 35 percent black voting-age population of the state.

The number of districts entirely within fast-growing DeSoto County would rise from three to six.

Five sets of incumbents would be paired under the plan, including three districts matching two white Democrats. Republican Rep. Bill Denny of Jackson, who leads House redistricting, drew white Democrat Cecil Brown of Jackson into his own district.