The redrawing of Congressional district maps in each state is upon us. As a Texan, I can attest that Republicans, at least, wield a wild pen when they have the power to draw the map. Medieval griffins snake from central Texas to the Mexican border, excluding all possibility of a Democratic showing in at least one district. My district was represented by one corrupt Republican and was bounced to another who sends emails demonizing Democrats even when asked, politely, to leave this voter off the email list.
Both parties play politics with the map. If your party's strength matters to you, take a look at what Republicans could do to ensure national power during the latest redistricting cycle.
Each decade, the 435 House seats are reapportioned to reflect population changes among the 50 states. When the census is complete, the Sunbelt is likely to gain seats at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, the pattern of the last half century. ( California's delegation is expected to remain at 53 seats.)
In most states, it is then up to legislators to draw new congressional districts, subject to gubernatorial veto. That explains the political fight outside Columbus — where the two parties plan to spend a combined $1.2 million. It is why spending may exceed $4 million for a state Senate seat in rural upstate New York and $4 million for another on Long Island.
Generally speaking, strategists say, campaign budgets will double in targeted races compared with non-redistricting years.
With the majority party in control, an artful jiggle of a line here or the shift of a few precincts there can mean the difference between a Republican-leaning district and one likely to elect a Democrat; multiplied dozens of times, that can determine who runs the U.S. House.
"Whoever has the pen in hand has the opportunity," said Thomas M. Reynolds, a former congressman and vice chairman of the Republican State Leadership Committee, or RSLC, which plans to spend more than $40 million to influence redistricting.
New campaign finance laws prevent the parties from accepting big-dollar contributions. So instead, they are leaning heavily on outside groups, directed by some of the parties' top strategists and funded by wealthy donors, labor unions and corporations.
"It is a gift that will keep on giving," Ed Gillespie, head of the RSLC, told a Washington gathering of potential donors. He suggested that $1 spent today on drawing a safe congressional seat would save many times the cost of winning a competitive race later. "This is one of the best investments you can make." ...LATimes
