House panel OKs congressional redistricting plan that takes aim at Rep. Hal Rogers' district

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Democrats are taking on one of the nation's top Republicans, U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, by proposing new political boundaries in Kentucky that would push him to the outer edge of the state's 5th District that he has represented in Washington for 30 years.

A redistricting proposal unveiled Thursday by House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, also would add several Democratic counties to the northeastern end of the district in a push that will likely be reversed in the GOP-controlled Kentucky Senate.

Rogers, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, is beloved in his mountainous district where voters have made him the longest serving Republican ever elected to federal office in Kentucky. Democrats recognize his political strength and have mounted no serious challenge against him in nearly 20 years. But they want to be ready when the 74-year-old retires.

"It's politics, and that's what redistricting is all about," said Democratic operative Danny Briscoe. "Each side will try to protect their own self interests."

Kentucky Democrats angered Republicans by proposing to split Rogers' home county between the 5th and 2nd districts, a move likely intended as a bargaining chip for later redistricting negotiations.

State Rep. Danny Ford, R-Mount Vernon, objected to that proposal. Rogers spokeswoman Danielle Smoot didn't immediately return phone calls seeking comment on Thursday.