Councilor Graham To Quit Democrats

State Sen. and city councilor Saundra Graham, angry over a redistricting fight on Beacon Hill, said last night she would leave the Democratic party and register as an-Independent.

Graham said she made her decision after the state legislature refused to amend a redistricting petition and include Framingham in the district where U.S. Rep. Barney Frank '61 (D-Mass.) and U.S. Rep. Margaret Heckler (R-Mass.) will square off next fall.

The redistricting plan approved by the House (after census figures showed the state would lose a congressman) is expected to give Republican Heckler a victory over first-term liberal Frank. Under the plan. which has yet to win final approval but is seen as likely to stay intact. Frank will retain only two towns from his old district, while Heckler will maintain 68 per cent of her former constituents.

Inclusion of Framingham in the district would have given Frank a "fair shot" at the seat. Graham said. She criticized the Democratic-controlled legislature for deserting a fellow, adding that "if the party can't broaden to include liberals. people like us, then I don't want to belong."

Graham, the city's most prominent Black politician, originally ran for office as an Independent. and the switch will probably have little effect on her electoral fortunes.