Proposed legislative maps reshape Berkeley districts

Big changes are in store for Berkeley County voters as the Statehouse considers new lines for House, Senate and Congressional districts.

The legislature has to redraw boundaries every 10 years as voters relocate, filling some districts while leaving others with fewer voters. The redistricting evens out the number of voters in each district and, in some cases, creates new districts to address large shifts in the population.

The S.C. House approved its new district boundaries and Congressional lines earlier this week. The Senate is beginning its redistricting debate and should have maps ready by next week. Then, a conference committee will iron out differences.

S.C. House

Under plans approved by the House, a new District 15 will be centered in Hanahan and Goose Creek.

The district will pull a little from each of the districts that surround it, including Jim Merrill's District 99, the open District 100, Joseph Jefferson's District 102, and Bill Crosby's District 117. Similar to Crosby's, the new seat will also slip into North Charleston's Northwoods neighborhoods.

Berkley County Republican Chairman Tim Callanan was ecstatic at the news of the new Berkeley district. "Getting a new district is great," he said. "Getting a quality candidate is just as important. That process starts now."

S.C. Senate

Senate lines will be shifting in Berkeley County.

Republican Sen. Paul Campbell's district will mostly be limited to the Goose Creek area. Republican Sen. Larry Grooms will gain Moncks Corner, but lose portions of the northern end of the county to two Democratic districts.

"You'll have a lot of people voting in a different district than they were before," said Callanan.

U.S. Congress

The fate for the congressional seats is very much up in the air.

Each house of Congress is left to draw its own lines, but they have to agree on a plan for the districts and the two plans getting the most attention couldn't be further apart.

What is known is that a new seventh Congressional seat will be centered somewhere along the coast.

A U.S. House plan would create a Myrtle Beach district that takes advantage of the heavily conservative Horry County for a solid sixth GOP district. Under that scenario, Tim Scott's 1st District would shift south and collect Beaufort County and coastal Colleton County.

The U.S. Senate plan would keep the 1st District boundaries largely intact. Instead, a new district would be made starting in Beaufort and Jasper and then heading off the coast and up Interstate 95 to also include Dorchester and Berkeley counties.

"That would make Berkeley and Dorchester primary influencers on that seat," said Callanan.

Meanwhile, Lowcountry Democratic consultant Lachlan McIntosh believes any outcome will likely benefit Dems.

"It's pretty clear the Repulicans are having a difficult time drawing six super-Republican districts," he said.

"No matter what plans gets passed, Democrats will have an opportunity for a pick up."