Here's the cliff note #mnmap rundown. 3rd and 6th are more red. 1st, 2nd and 5th are more blue. 4th solid D. 7th and 8th didn't change much
Of course, many of my fellow residents in the Sixth Congressional district had a coronary when it was learned that the southern half of Washington County was drawn from CD6 into the Fourth Congressional District. That means Rep. Michele Bachmann's current residence in West Lakeland Twp is now a part of CD4. However, the law states that a candidate is not required to reside in the congressional district he/she represents, and Bachmann quickly went on record to say that she indeed will seek another term in the US House representing the Sixth. While I am certainly grateful for that, part of me would have thoroughly enjoyed the prospects of a Bachmann-Betty McCollum matchup in CD4. Betty has rarely had to emerge from her bunker and actively campaign. In addition, I would have loved to have seen Bachmann turn McCollum into a weeping pile of mush in a one-on-one debate. Alas.
On the local level, my House District went from 48B to 35A. While I am still represented by Jim Abeler, my State Senator Mike Jungbauer has been redrawn into SD 31, as has Sen. Michelle Benson (formerly of SD49), thus creating an open Senate seat in SD35. Late last evening, it was announced that Rep. Branden Petersen (formerly representative of 49B; now 35B) will seek the GOP endorsement for SD35. In another interesting development, both Jungbauer and Benson have declared they will seek the GOP endorsement in SD31. However, Jungbauer told Jack and Ben on The Late Debate last evening that he would not abide by an endorsement of Benson (should she receive it) and thus would seek the SD31 nomination in a primary race. Hmmmm.
In the end, as a Republican, I feel pretty good about Minnesota's US House delegation maintaining its four GOP members. But while Bachmann, Erik Paulsen (CD3) and John Kline (CD2) will likely coast to double-digit victories, eighth district representative Chip Cravaack would appear to be the most vulnerable of the Republicans. Any help one could spare outside of one's own district I believe could best be utilized in CD8.
And now.......GAME ON!
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"I would have loved to have seen Bachmann turn McCollum into a weeping pile of mush in a one-on-one debate."
ReplyDeletenot a fan of bachmann's idealogy, but yeah, she would be a force to be reckoned with.
I still don't believe Bachmann would have prevailed in CD4, as it's still a solid blue district. Nevertheless, McCullom would have had to be put on display in front of her constituents, which is something she's rarely had to endure.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, McCullom would have had to be put on display in front of her constituents, which is something she's rarely had to endure.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing -- she gets 70% of the vote in St. Paul and that's always been enough, since the rest of the 4th CD is pretty much 50/50. She'll likely still win, but she's going to have to work harder, because there were a lot of people who moved to Washington County to get away from politicians like Betty McCollum. And they will resent this change.