Nashville, We Have a Problem

Part of John Ford's bond restrictions requires him to stay in West Tennessee and only go to Nashville for his Ethics Committee appearances. He's also not allowed to be around his fellow indictees. That includes newly elected State Senator Kathryn Bowers.

Ford cannot appear in any special or regular sessions of the Tennessee State Senate! Unless, of course, the judge decides to modify the conditions of his release, which Federal investigators are quite likely to fight. Or Ford resigns, which is unlikely as it would cut off his cash supply. Or the Senate votes to expel him and a new election is called.

That means that Tennessee State Senate District 29 is effectively without representation in the Tennessee General Assembly. Who does that affect?

Take a look. (Big map that requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.) That's a whole lot of Shelby County. Can't wait to see this play out.