Are Georgia Republicans’ Maps Actually Helping Lucy McBath?

New congressional maps caused the Georgia Democrat to change districts — but there could be an upside for her.

Lucy McBath
Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) is running in the newly redrawn 6th District this fall — and it could. Andrew Harnik/AP

When Republicans redrew Georgia’s congressional districts, putting Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath’s chances in the 7th District in peril, they may have also done something unexpected: boosted her political future.

The third-term lawmaker announced plans last month to leave her current district to pursue election in Georgia’s new 6th District on the west side of Atlanta. McBath holds a safe seat in the 7th, but Georgia’s new congressional map is expected to shift the district red. This will be the second time Republican-drawn maps have been the catalyst for McBath to jump districts in the Atlanta area.

And while McBath has condemned the new map, which the courts upheld late last month, some allies believe it could position her well for a future run for statewide office.