| The day we've been waiting for is almost here: redistricting maps are due tomorrow!
Cue trumpets for maps-and-numbers geeks, and gnashing of teeth from electeds and party leaders of all stripes.
We'll be covering all aspects of the new maps (which are still subject to lawsuit) as details emerge tomorrow -- congressional, legislative, regional, the whole shebang.
Here's an abridged list of what I'll be watching:
- West Metro CD: Generally the numbering scheme hasn't changed that much in recent decades, but it might not be the Third anymore...who knows? What we do know is that there will be a west-metro-centered district, likely to include Erik Paulsen as its "incumbent", and its makeup will drive a lot of what happens to the other two suburban districts. If the court sides largely with the DFL's vision, then the district actually gets a bit bluer, giving Paulsen some heartburn if not this cycle, then definitely next time around. If the court sides with the GOP's recommendation, then the Third gets redder, making Paulsen less safe but making the other suburban districts around it a bit less so.
- McCollum vs. Bachmann: Stillwater is, as far as redistricting is concerned, a pain in the neck. It doesn't fit with St. Cloud or Lakeville or St. Paul, but it has to go somewhere, right? Although at the Congressional level there is no requirement that a candidate live in the district they wish to support, if Stillwater gets drawn into McCollum's Fourth district, expect to see some serious teeth-gnashing about the incumbent-on-incumbent matchup that was recommended by DFL Chair Ken Martin and derided by McCollum and her supporters.
- Legislative seat shifts: Northern Minnesota is going to lose a Senate District, as will the southwestern section of the state, while the area covered by CD6 is going to gain at least one. This means we're about to see a spate of jockeying for position, both in retirements in the shrinking areas and new candidates jumping into races with no incumbent. My area, the southwest metro, is likely to stay pretty static, but there are significantly different options for the court panel to consider -- they're not likely to draw any districts that close to the cities with no incumbents, but who knows?
What will you be watching? Let's have the comments and discussion, and we'll make sure we're covering as many details as possible tomorrow. |
