Politics & Government
Plum: Reston Will Be Together, But Likely in 11th District
"Divided representation is no representation at all," Virginia delegate says.
Correction: an earlier version of this article said Reston moved to the 8th District in 1991. It was 2001.
Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston) said he was pleased with the progress made at the General Assembly's special session on redistricting, which wrapped up business and headed in to a holiday break on Tuesday. Both the House and Senate proposals have Reston united in one district.
The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have proposed competing plans to redraw Virginia’s 11 congressional districts.
Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
On a 71 to 23 vote, the Republican-led House on Tuesday adopted a plan drawn in consultation with the state’s incumbent Congress members. The Senate advanced its own version with a 9 to 6 vote.
The bills will be discussed further and likely sent to conference when the General Assembly reconvenes on April 25.
Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The revisions are in response to population shifts revealed by the 2010 census. Under the Voting Rights Act, states are required to reassess districts every 10 years.
Reston will likely move from Del. Jim Moran's (D) 8th District to Gerry Connolly's (D) 11th District. Most importantly, Reston will remain whole, Plum said.
"Bills in both the house and senate keep Reston whole," Plum said at Reston Association's annual member's meeting Tuesday night. "The Congressional map has us moving from the 8th to the 11th, and those who follow politics closely recognize that.
"But Reston will be in one district," he said. "To divide a community is no representation at all."
In 2001, Reston became part of Moran's district - which stretches in a thin line from Arlington and Alexandria through parts of Tyson's Corner to Reston. By joining Connolly's district, it unifies this part of Fairfax County.
The 11th would also be realigned to remove some parts of more Republican-influenced Prince William County. The 11th, which re-elected Connolly in one of the tightest races in the nation in 2010, currently includes a large part of Fairfax County, as well as areas stretching all the way to Haymarket in Prince William County.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.