January 26, 2012

Republican Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins wants Kansas legislators to keep the Manhattan area in her U.S. House
district when they redraw political boundaries.

Jenkins told The Associated Press on Thursday she believes the
lines of her district need only minimal changes. She represents the
2nd Congressional District in eastern Kansas, which currently
includes Manhattan.

State lawmakers must redraw the districts to account for
population changes over the past decade. The 2nd District must pick
up only 3,200 residents to reach the ideal population of about
713,000.

The neighboring 1st District of western and central Kansas is
nearly 58,000 residents short. Some legislators are talking about
expanding its territory to take in Manhattan.

Jenkins says Manhattan officials have made a good case that
their community has more in common with eastern Kansas.