Redistricting Clarification- Harper Still the Man Till 2013

The 2010 Census will bring several changes for Winston County including new lines within the county for the five Supervisors' Districts. The redistricting plan for the county is currently under review by the Justice Department. However, the lines for the four congressional districts in Mississippi were also required to be readjusted. That plan is in place as the Federal Courts took up the redistricting after the Mississippi legislature failed to agree upon a workable plan during the 2011 session.

As a result of the shift in Congressional District lines, Winston County will no longer be in District 3 after the next election. Winston County is currently represented by Republican Gregg Harper and will continue to be served by Harper until January, 2013.  Beginning in 2013, Winston County will be included in District 1 currently served by Republican Alan Nunnelee.  All of Winston County and roughly half of Oktibbeha County were included in the move.
Contact with Representative Harper's Office indicated that there was concern that citizens misunderstood the upcoming changes and issued this statement:

"As you can imagine, we’ve gotten a number of inquiries about Congressman Harper and Winston County. Congressman Harper is extremely disappointed to lose Winston County. Besides his home county of Rankin, Winston County has been his “home away from home.” But, that’s what happens when populations shift in our state. One of the misconceptions out there is that Congressman Harper no long represents Winston County. Actually, this change does not take place until after the first few days of January, 2013. Consequently, Congressman Harper represents Winston County for the next twelve months."

Congressman Harper can be contacted through his website at http://harper.house.gov/

Congressman Nunnelee can be contacted at http://nunnelee.house.gov/