Amador County – Redistricting reform in California could lead to more legislative seats falling into the hands of Democrats, including the seat currently held by Congressman and 3rd District Representative Dan Lungren.
The process of creating an independent commission to redraw districts began after voters narrowly approved Proposition 11 in November 2008. Backed by Governor Schwarzenegger and a coalition of nonpartisan groups, the legislation calls for the creation of a 14-member panel to redraw the state’s 120 legislative districts and four Board of Equalization districts after the 2010 census, and will take effect with the 2012 election. At the time the proposition was proposed, Schwarzenegger argued that leaving redistricting up to the legislature is self-serving and leads to gerrymandering and lawmakers rigging their own elections. But there is a rival proposal from the Attorney General’s Office called the Berman measure which would erase the Prop. 11 measure and return power over redrawing districts to the Legislature after the 2010 census. UCLA Law Professor Daniel Lowenstein, a supporter of the Berman measure, said the state legislature is set up to resolve redistricting matter legitimately. “It's a complicated process of self interest, group interest and public interest. . . . A fair redistricting plan is whatever emerges from the political process of compromise and competition,” he said. This measure could ultimately work in the Democrats’ favor. Lungren already stands out as a vulnerable target for Democrats because he won less than 50 percent of the vote in a four-candidate race last year and has seen his lead decline in the last two elections. Dr. Ami Bera, a UC Davis physician and Lungren’s sole Democratic opponent in this year’s election, has continually out-raised the Republican through September 30th of 2009, one of only a handful of challengers nationwide to do so. Other Republican targets include Representatives Mary Bono Mack of Palm Springs and Ken Calvert in Corona. Another measure supported by wealthy Southern California financier Charles T. Munger to expand independent redistricting to the state’s congressional districts will likely be included on the 2008 ballot. But there have been a number of problems related to the creation of the redistricting commission so far. Officials report that the applicant pool so far consists of mostly older, white men and not enough women and minorities are applying. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010 17:00
State Redistricting Could Impact Congressman Lungren’s Seat
Amador County – Redistricting reform in California could lead to more legislative seats falling into the hands of Democrats, including the seat currently held by Congressman and 3rd District Representative Dan Lungren.
The process of creating an independent commission to redraw districts began after voters narrowly approved Proposition 11 in November 2008. Backed by Governor Schwarzenegger and a coalition of nonpartisan groups, the legislation calls for the creation of a 14-member panel to redraw the state’s 120 legislative districts and four Board of Equalization districts after the 2010 census, and will take effect with the 2012 election. At the time the proposition was proposed, Schwarzenegger argued that leaving redistricting up to the legislature is self-serving and leads to gerrymandering and lawmakers rigging their own elections. But there is a rival proposal from the Attorney General’s Office called the Berman measure which would erase the Prop. 11 measure and return power over redrawing districts to the Legislature after the 2010 census. UCLA Law Professor Daniel Lowenstein, a supporter of the Berman measure, said the state legislature is set up to resolve redistricting matter legitimately. “It's a complicated process of self interest, group interest and public interest. . . . A fair redistricting plan is whatever emerges from the political process of compromise and competition,” he said. This measure could ultimately work in the Democrats’ favor. Lungren already stands out as a vulnerable target for Democrats because he won less than 50 percent of the vote in a four-candidate race last year and has seen his lead decline in the last two elections. Dr. Ami Bera, a UC Davis physician and Lungren’s sole Democratic opponent in this year’s election, has continually out-raised the Republican through September 30th of 2009, one of only a handful of challengers nationwide to do so. Other Republican targets include Representatives Mary Bono Mack of Palm Springs and Ken Calvert in Corona. Another measure supported by wealthy Southern California financier Charles T. Munger to expand independent redistricting to the state’s congressional districts will likely be included on the 2008 ballot. But there have been a number of problems related to the creation of the redistricting commission so far. Officials report that the applicant pool so far consists of mostly older, white men and not enough women and minorities are applying. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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