Gonzales Co. moves to District 17

Due to a rise in population growth, the Texas House of Representative approved of a redistricting plan that moved Gonzales County to District 17.

Gonzales loses Dist. 44 State Rep. John Kuempel and gains Dist. 17 State Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt of Lee County.

Klienschmidt, a lifelong resident of Lee County, is a longtime city attorney for the cities of Giddings and Lexington. He has also practiced law for 27 years in Central Texas.

The tentative new map was passed in the Texas House on a 92-52 vote after more than a 16-hour discussion.

The map must survive the Senate and any other legal challenges before becoming effective, which could be as soon as the Fall of 2011.

Kuempel won an election in December of 2010 to replace his father Rep. Edmund Kuempel, who uddenly died after winning re-election.

Klienschmidt has served as a member of the Texas House since 2008.