Black delegates tempted by Virginia GOP’s Senate map

RICHMOND — At least two black House Democrats say they might vote for the GOP’s surprise Virginia Senate redistricting plan, a move that could make it easier for Republican Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and House Speaker William J. Howell to find their way out of a sticky political quandary.

Dels. Onzlee Ware (Roanoke) and Rosalyn R. Dance (Petersburg) told The Washington Post on Wednesday that they are considering the plan, which would create a new majority-black district in Southside but also disperse black voting power in at least eight other districts.

The likely outcome would be to elect a sixth black senator but also to diminish the overall power of Democrats in the now evenly split Senate.

“Here’s an opportunity where I can actually have a great impact on African Americans, yet at the same time, it doesn’t help the entire Democratic Party,” Ware said. “Should I always have to forgo the interests of black people for the good of the party? . . . I have a real dilemma on my hands right now.”

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-politics/black-delegates-tempted-by-gops-senate-map/2013/01/30/7612e074-6b0a-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story.html?wprss=rss_politics