Following Davidson County Democrat Hugh Holliman’s narrow re-election, the question is whether or not he will weigh in on state annexation laws:
Holliman’s position on annexation, without question, hurt him with many voters. He lives in Sapona, one of four areas that will become a part of Lexington next year after annexation. Many of those in the annexed areas blamed Holliman for not taking a more active role in the process, especially in not voting on a House bill that would have imposed a moratorium on annexation until legislators could revisit the law. However, Holliman made a good point that ethics laws prevented him from voting, since the annexation would have a financial effect on him.
In the long run, his re-election may actually help opponents of the annexation law. After his victory, he agreed that the law does need to be examined. As majority leader, he will be in position to see that the annexation rules receives a full hearing. He also rightly said legislators must consider the law’s effect on the state as a whole, and not just focus on one city. That may not sit well with Davidson County residents who are in the annexation areas, but they have legal and political avenues to continue to make their case.
