Rep. Jenkins wants Manhattan in 2nd District

? Republican Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins wants Kansas legislators to keep the Manhattan area in her U.S. House district when they redraw political boundaries.

Jenkins told The Associated Press on Thursday she believes the lines of her district need only minimal changes. She represents the 2nd Congressional District in eastern Kansas, which currently includes Manhattan.

State lawmakers must redraw the districts to account for population changes over the past decade. The 2nd District must pick up only 3,200 residents to reach the ideal population of about 713,000.

The neighboring 1st District of western and central Kansas is nearly 58,000 residents short. Some legislators are talking about expanding its territory to take in Manhattan.

Jenkins says Manhattan officials have made a good case that their community has more in common with eastern Kansas.