Semi-official Blog of Radio Iowa
Here’s the map of the proposed congressional districts. Here’s a Radio Iowa story outlining the key races. Here’s the list of legislators who’d be forced to run against another incumbent if they choose to remain in their current home and seek reelection in 2012.
The four congressmen involved — Latham, King, Braley & Loebsack — issued written statements. King and Loebsack granted telephone interviews today as well.
See headline above. Read written statement below. King also talked by phone with Radio Iowa. Read what he had to say here and here.
King Statement on Congressional Redistricting Map
Washington D.C.- Congressman Steve King (R-IA) released the following statement regarding the proposed congressional redistricting map that was revealed this morning.
“Today, Iowans got a first look at what our state’s congressional map may look like for the next ten years. Ultimately, it will be up to the legislature and the Governor to decide. I chaired the State Government Committee in the Iowa Senate ten years ago and managed the bill. I know that our legislature will work hard to ensure Iowans get the best representation possible in Congress and the General Assembly. It remains a privilege to serve the Fifth District in Congress, and I look forward to continuing my work in Congress in 2012 and beyond.”
See headline above. Read statement below.
Braley Statement on Iowa Redistricting Process
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after the first redistricting maps came out:
“This map is a first draft and the first step in a process that will determine new Congressional districts. We’ll all have to wait and see how the process plays out. I’m honored to represent northeast Iowa in Congress, and I’m focused on the very important work we have in front of us: monitoring the conflict in Libya and working on passing a responsible, long term budget to provide stability and certainty to American families and businesses.”
See headline above. Read statement below.
Loebsack Statement On Iowa Redistricting Proposal
“In Iowa, we are fortunate to have a nonpartisan redistricting process that puts Iowans and Iowa’s communities first, ahead of politics. For more than four years, I have been honored to represent much of southeastern Iowa – in Iowa’s Second Congressional district. Understanding that the redistricting process is ongoing, as the map stands now, I would plan to continue to represent the southeastern district of Iowa that stretches from I-35 to Iowa City, the Quad Cities and to the southeastern most tip of Keokuk. I have been honored to represent these communities in the past and look forward to representing them in the future.”
See headline above. Read statement below.
Statement from Congressman Boswell on the release of the first redistricting map is below.
“During my time in public service I have represented 32 different counties in our great state. Whatever the conclusion of our redistricting process, I look forward to continue to representing Iowa and fighting for her interests.”
Democratic staff in the Iowa House and Senate have analyzed the redistricting maps. Their conclusions: 14 senators will be forced to run against another senator in 2012 and 27 representatives will be forced to run in a district where one (if not two) representatives are also situated.
Here are the Senate pairings:
Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg) versus Johnson (R-Ocheyedan)
Boettger (R-Harlan) versus Seymour (R-Woodbine)
Ward (R-West Des Moines) versus McCoy (D-Des Moines)
Bacon (R-Maxwell) versus Dix (D-Waterloo)
Bartz (R-Grafton) versus Wilhelm (D-Cresco)
Hancock (D-Epworth) versus Bowan (D-Maquoketa)
Hamerlinck (R-Dixon) versus Hahn (R-Muscatine)
I’ll be back in a minute with pairings in the Iowa House.
Here are the House pairings.
Huseman (R-Aurelia) versus Chambers (R-Sheldon)
Iverson (R-Clarion) versus Upmeyer (R-Garner) versus Rayhons (R-Garner)
Shaw (R-Laurens) versus Tjepkes (R-Gowrie)
Jeremy Taylor (R-Sioux City) versus Hall (D-Sioux City)
Brandenburg (R-Council Bluffs) versus Hanusa (R-Council Bluffs)
Anderson (R-Clarinda) versus Dolecheck (R-Mount Ayr)
Sweeney (R-Alden) versus Pat Grassley(R-New Hartford)
Wenthe (D-Hawkeye) versus Thomas (D-Elkader)
Hein (R-Monticell) versus Moore (R-Zwingle)
Mascher (D-Iowa City) versus Jacoby (D-Coralville)
DeBoef (R-What Cheer) versus Klein (R-Keota)
Van Englenhoven (R-Pella) versus Vander Linden (R-Oskaloosa)
Swain (D-Bloomfield) versus Hanson (D-Fairfield)
See headline above. Read news releases below.
STATEMENT FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER KEVIN MCCARTHY ON REDISTRICTING MAP
“Regardless of any map that may be approved by the Legislature, Republicans can’t run from their terrible record punishing Iowa’s middle class.
From taking away the rights of police officers and teachers to divisive social issues to ending successful job creation efforts for main street businesses, the Republicans’ extreme agenda shows they are out of touch with Iowa families.”
Statement by Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal
on redistricting map released todayDES MOINES — “We intend to take our time reviewing the first map to ensure that it meets all the constitutional and legal requirements.
“No map is going to hide the fact that Republicans have turned their backs on middle-class Iowans.
“Republicans have shown their true agenda by voting to take away workers’ rights, slash the state’s commitment to basic education funding, reduce funding for successful job-creation efforts, and set up a slush fund to provide lavish tax cuts to out-of-state corporations and super-wealthy Iowans.“Once a new map is approved, Democrats are ready to regain control of the Iowa House and expand our majority in the Iowa Senate.”
IDP Statement on First Redistricting Proposal
DES MOINES – Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky released the following statement after the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) released their first redistricting proposal:
“No change in district boundaries can hide the Republican record and their abandonment of campaign promises this session. In 2012, when candidates are running for the first time in the new districts approved by the legislature, Republicans will be forced to explain why they have pushed an overreaching, radical agenda instead of joining Democrats in working to create jobs and strengthen our economy.
“Democrats will be able to highlight their commitment to protecting middle class Iowans in any district across the state.
“Iowa is fortunate to have a nonpartisan redistricting process that serves as a national model. We thank the Legislative Services Agency for their continued work as the redistricting process continues.”
The new redistricting plan would pit Republican Congressman Tom Latham of Ames against Republican Congressman Steve King of Kiron. Latham is not granting interviews today. He released a written statement:
“Iowans are lucky to have what is widely regarded as one of the fairest redistricting processes in the country governing how the new congressional districts will be drawn. I know that the members of the Legislature will keep the best interests of the people of Iowa at heart as they move forward with the next steps of this redistricting process. I am honored to represent the good people of Iowa in the United States Congress, and, regardless of the specifics of the final map, I will continue to work on behalf of the interest of all Iowans.”
Here’s a most interesting legislative race, should legislators approve the redistricting maps released this morning:
A three-way race in the Iowa House would feature House GOP Leader Linda Upmeyer of Ganer versus former Senate GOP Leader/former Republican Party of Iowa chair/current State Representative Stewart Iverson of Dows versus State Rep. Henry Rayhons. Rayhons, by the way, delivered the prayer in the Iowa House this morning. He made no mention of redistricting.
In the Senate, 14 incumbents would face-off against one another under this plan. It calls for Senator Matt McCoy (D-Des Moines) to run in the same district as Senator Pat Ward (R-West Des Moines). In the House, 27 incumbents would face off in races in 2012. (House and Senate Democratic Caucus staff came up with those numbers and released to the news media this morning less than half an hour after the plans were released.)
The redistricting plan for Iowa’s congressional and legislative districts was released this morning. It pairs Congressmen Tom Latham of Ames and Steve King of Kiron in one district. They’re both Republicans. It pairs Congressmen Bruce Braley of Waterloo and Dave Loebsack of Mount Vernon in another district. They’re both Republicans.
It is possible, no probable that if the Iowa General Assembly approves this plan that two of those aforementioned congressmen will move. Latham has moved before. Loebsack could move into Johnson County, the Iowa City area. In the last reapportionment, then-Congressman Jim Leach moved from Davenport to Iowa City. And Congressman Leonard Boswell moved from Davis City to Des Moines.
It will be a few hours before the full extent of pairings in state legislative races for House and Senate seats is known.
Politics & Government
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award. More »
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