Richmond community leaders testified before the House Special Committee on Redistricting in Jefferson City that dividing Richmond and Ray County between two new congressional districts is not in the interests of the city or county.

The proposed map called for taking Richmond and the county out of the 5th Congressional District and dividing them between the 4th and 6th districts.

Dividing Richmond, population 6,013, would have diluted the voices of city and rural residents when either or both sought help for a variety of needs, including federal aid. Seeking help proved necessary during the drought of 2018, the back-to-back floods in 2019, the ongoing pandemic that began affecting business and government operations in 2020 and the 2021 summer storms. When needing help under proposed redistricting, this small area would have had to deal with two busy members of Congress, and their staffs, in the hope that one or the other might respond versus focusing on pressing needs in larger parts of their districts.

Richmond Mayor Mike Wright, city Administrator Tonya Willim, businessman Jimmy Carter and city Economic Development Director James Gorham made those points, supported by state Rep. Peggy McGaugh. Chairman Dan Shaul and his committee listened.

After asking whether being in just the 4th District or in just the 6th District made a difference – and hearing either would be fine – the committee redrafted the map and put the entire county in U.S. Rep. Sam Graves’ 6th District.

McGaugh characterized the change as a win for Richmond and Ray County. It is. Her support of the city and county is a big reason for that win. She kept area leaders apprised of the original plan and helped them organize to present testimony to the committee.

The win is an important first step in the redistricting process. Whether the proposed map will clear the House and withstand potential court challenges remains unanswered.

But Richmond and Ray County residents should feel confident this area is represented well at all levels of government.