(Des Moines) — The Iowa legislature on Thursday approved of the second plan that was presented by the Legislative Services Agency for the new proposed redistricting maps for both the Iowa legislature and for the new Congressional districts. The Iowa Senate was first to act on the measure, with it passing the Senate Chamber. Republican Senator Jeff Taylor voted in favor of the new plan.
The new senate map includes all of Lyon and Sioux Counties, and the northern half of Plymouth County. The southern portion of Plymouth County will join with most of the rural areas of Woodbury County and Monona County. Following the passage in the Iowa Senate, it was time for the Iowa House to vote on the proposal consisting of the new House redistricting. The measure passed the Iowa House on a 93 to 2 vote, with five members choosing not to vote. Of the two “no” votes, Republican state representative, Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars was one to vote no on the measure.
In a text message to KLEM radio, Jeneary says he did not like to see Plymouth County being split. Jeneary says he had several people contact him and were unhappy with the proposed map. The new House district places the northern half of Plymouth County to join the southern half of Sioux County. The new map places House members Skylar Wheeler of Orange City and Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars in the same district.
