Reps. Jean Farmer-Butterfield and Susan Martin could face off for a single N.C. House seat if new district maps follow a recently released framework. The General Assembly’s Redistricting Committee approved rules for redrawing state legislative districts last week. Farmer-Butterfield, who is a member of the committee, said the criteria was voted on based on recommendations from committee leadership.
If a preliminary redrawing of legislative districts is approved, Wilson County could go from having two state representatives to one, which would mean Farmer-Butterfield, a Wilson Democrat, could face Martin, a Wilson Republican, in a race to determine who will represent the county.
“I think it’s unfortunate that we may be facing each other,” said Farmer-Butterfield. “She and I are friends and we work well together. I do plan to run and I haven’t talked with her about it at all. If it’s drawn that way and that becomes the real, final product, that’s the way it will be.”
Martin is not on the redistricting committee.
“I don’t have the latest and greatest because I am not on the committee or involved with the redistricting,” Martin said. “I will tell you that every election cycle, I pray about it and talk to my family about running again. Serving our community is an honor that I very much enjoy because of the people I represent, and this election will be no different. We will get new information and take it from there.”
Full Article: Preliminary Redrawing of North Carolina Districts Suggests Combining Two.