It's official: We now have our first incumbent-versus-incumbent matchup of 2012, thanks to redistricting.
With proposed maps in Iowa expected to be signed soon by Gov. Terry Branstad (R), Rep.Tom Latham (R) announced Friday he will run in the newly-created 3rd District, pitting him against Rep. Leonard Boswell (D).
With proposed maps in Iowa expected to be signed soon by Gov. Terry Branstad (R), Rep.Tom Latham (R) announced Friday he will run in the newly-created 3rd District, pitting him against Rep. Leonard Boswell (D).
Iowa lost one of its five House seats in the reapportionment last year, forcing a game of musical chairs with its members. Latham and Boswell will now be fighting over that final seat.
"I have never let map boundaries block the great honor I have felt in representing the interests of all Iowans in the United States Congress. And, after thoughtful discussions with my family, friends and supporters over the past two weeks, I am writing to share with you my decision that I will be a candidate for Congress in Iowa's new Third Congressional District in 2012," Latham wrote in an email to supporters.
The move spares Republicans a bitter primary battle which would have put Latham up against Rep. Steve King (R) in the new 4th District. And Republicans are optimistic that they can defeat Boswell in his new district, thanks to the realignment. Branstad easily won what will be the newly-reshaped district in last year's elections, while President Obama narrowly won it with 52 percent of the vote.
"My residence in Sac County left me little choice in what District I would seek to represent beginning in 2013, but I am pleased that the residents of the southern part of my current district will have the opportunity to choose Tom Latham as their representative in Congress," King said in a statement. "It has been a privilege for me to serve alongside Congressmen Latham in the House, and I am confident the residents of the new Fourth and Third districts will see fit to return us to Congress in 2012 to continue our work on their behalf."
It's also a high-stakes move that could allow Republicans to pick up a seat in Iowa - a move that national Republican officials embraced.
"I applaud Tom's decision to fight for job creation and opportunity for more Iowans by running for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District. Tom has the leadership, vision and Main Street America solutions to combat Democrats' tax, borrow, and spend agenda that continues to discourage job creation in Iowa and across the nation," National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions said in a statement. Latham starts off well ahead of Boswell in the cash race. According to first quarter filings due to the Federal Election Commission today, Latham took in an impressive $414,000 the past three months and has $984,000 in the bank. In comparison, Boswell raised just $144,000 and has only $173,000 cash on hand. Iowa's new maps are causing some reshuffling in other parts of the state, too. Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack announced Thursday he'll move to run in the new 2nd District, avoiding a primary fight with fellow Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley. The new district boundaries put both their homes in the 1st District, but Loebsack currently represents most of the new territory and his home was just a few miles outside the boundary. Updated at 1:59 p.m.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/04/latham-will-run-in-iowa-s-3rd-district-15
"I have never let map boundaries block the great honor I have felt in representing the interests of all Iowans in the United States Congress. And, after thoughtful discussions with my family, friends and supporters over the past two weeks, I am writing to share with you my decision that I will be a candidate for Congress in Iowa's new Third Congressional District in 2012," Latham wrote in an email to supporters.
The move spares Republicans a bitter primary battle which would have put Latham up against Rep. Steve King (R) in the new 4th District. And Republicans are optimistic that they can defeat Boswell in his new district, thanks to the realignment. Branstad easily won what will be the newly-reshaped district in last year's elections, while President Obama narrowly won it with 52 percent of the vote.
"My residence in Sac County left me little choice in what District I would seek to represent beginning in 2013, but I am pleased that the residents of the southern part of my current district will have the opportunity to choose Tom Latham as their representative in Congress," King said in a statement. "It has been a privilege for me to serve alongside Congressmen Latham in the House, and I am confident the residents of the new Fourth and Third districts will see fit to return us to Congress in 2012 to continue our work on their behalf."
It's also a high-stakes move that could allow Republicans to pick up a seat in Iowa - a move that national Republican officials embraced.
"I applaud Tom's decision to fight for job creation and opportunity for more Iowans by running for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District. Tom has the leadership, vision and Main Street America solutions to combat Democrats' tax, borrow, and spend agenda that continues to discourage job creation in Iowa and across the nation," National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions said in a statement. Latham starts off well ahead of Boswell in the cash race. According to first quarter filings due to the Federal Election Commission today, Latham took in an impressive $414,000 the past three months and has $984,000 in the bank. In comparison, Boswell raised just $144,000 and has only $173,000 cash on hand. Iowa's new maps are causing some reshuffling in other parts of the state, too. Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack announced Thursday he'll move to run in the new 2nd District, avoiding a primary fight with fellow Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley. The new district boundaries put both their homes in the 1st District, but Loebsack currently represents most of the new territory and his home was just a few miles outside the boundary. Updated at 1:59 p.m.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/04/latham-will-run-in-iowa-s-3rd-district-15