Senator Michael “Doc” Rhett will help direct redistricting in Georgia

With the 2020 census in our rear-view mirror and redistricting on the horizon, our focus must now shift to the all-important work that follows each census which is redistricting, the process of drawing electoral district boundaries. State Senator Michael ‘Doc’ Rhettt, who represents communities in South Cobb, is one of several legislators who will direct Georgia’s redistricting efforts this year as a member on the Senate’s Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee. Senator Rhett is at the table and will “be in the room where it happens”. As a member of this vital committee, Rhett’s participation will fulfill an important role as decisions that are made by this group will impact our South Cobb community as well as communities across the entire state of Georgia, now and into the future.

In Georgia, a state that flipped blue in its federal races but is still under a Republican majority in the state senate and house, the redistricting efforts by the majority will be to ensure the state flips back and to make it harder for Georgia to flip again. With his seat at the redistricting table, Senator Rhett is poised to give our community an opportunity to have our voices heard through his participation. With his well-known ability to work effectively with all, our community has full confidence that Senator Rhett is the right person to serve on this key committee.

Senator Rhett, affectionately called “Doc” by his constituents and friends, has been an influential South Cobb leader for years now and was previously honored by the Cobb County Democratic Party as Democratic Legislator of the Year. Rhett has worked across the aisle for the needs of his constituents by serving on various committees since 2014 – most notably in the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. A Veteran himself, many in the community compare Rhett to Congressman David Scott – who represents the 13^th Congressional District in Washington – pointing to the uncanny ability of each to work both sides while never forgetting who they serve…the citizens of the community.

When asked to compare his previous roles to his newest role on the redistricting committee Rhett said, “The actions of this committee will affect generations to come. We have to be cognizant of that, we need to articulate our needs so that way our voices are heard because next time we redistrict will be 2030.”

Senator Rhett clearly understands the importance of not only this committee, but more specifically the importance of his voice in this role. He also understands the responsibility and challenges of being a voice of the minority party, in fact he foresees his largest challenge to be “not diluting minority voices and democratic districts”. An admirable objective when faced with such a large challenge; Rhett says his biggest goal is to “Make sure that people in the district are fairly represented and not disenfranchised.” Rhett also plans to educate his constituents by “getting out information as to why the census and voting practices are important, as those are used to draw the lines.”

Rhett’s previous work across the aisle, along with the relationships and respect he has built through the years, will assist him with his goals as he works as part of the minority party. His first step to working in a bipartisan manner is to “cultivate relationships, before you can work across the aisle the main thing is to know the members and their district’s demographics.” Then to work towards his goals he hopes to “Let the members know the historical significance of certain districts especially in Atlanta and Marietta; and creating that narrative and sharing the people’s stories.”

Rhett is no stranger to preserving the history of minority communities and their stories throughout South Cobb. In Marietta he recently helped open Elizabeth Porter Park whose namesake was the first director of the only community center in Marietta that was opened to African Americans in the era of segregation. He also assisted with the plans to move Marietta City Schools’ central office to the site of Lemon Street High School, the office will also hold a museum dedicated towards the story of Marietta City Schools including Lemon Street High School which was the only high school in Cobb County that allowed black children to receive an education.

In addition to the work that he will perform on the redistricting committee, Rhett serves on other key committees including Finance, Judiciary, Regulated Industries and Utilities, and Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security. He has also championed several bills this session that has received bipartisan support including one in support of Veterans.

Once the legislative session ends in a few weeks, Senator Rhett, is ready to go to work and will join others on the Senate’s Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee in determining what future district lines will look like across the state.

To learn more about Senator Rhett or to contact him, click here. To learn more about the work Senator Rhett has been doing at the capitol on behalf of our community click on the sponsored legislation link.