Michigan Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed into a law the state's congressional redistricting map on Tuesday, helping several vulnerable Republicans and leaving one Democrat without a district after the state lost a House seat in reapportionment. The map was passed by state Republicans last month, but still faces legal challenges and must pass muster with the Department of Justice.
Democratic Rep. Gary Peters was the odd man out in the redistricting musical chairs, seeing his district carved up. He now finds himself now in the same district as longtime Democratic Rep. Sander Levin. Running against one another isn't what either congressman wants, but both have made clear they will run for reelection regardless.
Democratic Rep. Gary Peters was the odd man out in the redistricting musical chairs, seeing his district carved up. He now finds himself now in the same district as longtime Democratic Rep. Sander Levin. Running against one another isn't what either congressman wants, but both have made clear they will run for reelection regardless.
In a statement, Levin slammed Snyder for signing the "Republican gerrymander," but said if the maps stand, he'll run for reelection in the district where both he and Peters live.
"I testified against this map in Lansing and I will actively support every feasible effort to challenge the legality of this decision," said Levin. "If legal challenges are unsuccessful in overturning this map, I will run for reelection in the proposed 9th District, which contains three-quarters of the district that I now represent."
Peters, meanwhile, reiterated he will be a candidate in 2012, but didn't specify where he intends to run.
"Even if these gerrymandered maps are allowed to stand, I am running for reelection to Congress because we need representatives who are focused on Michigan's future rather than being locked into the past," said Peters in a statement. "This map will affect who will represent Michigan families in Congress until 2023, and I will be carefully weighing what will be best for Michigan's future, not just next November, but over the next ten years." The new map also makes GOP Rep. Thad McCotter's 11th District four points more Republican, and, to a limited extent, shores up Republican Reps. Dan Benishek, Tim Walberg, Dave Camp and Fred Upton. Democratic Rep. John Conyers' Detroit district is also dramatically changed in the map, although it remains solidly Democratic, and he has already drawn several primary challengers ahead of 2012.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/08/snyder-signs-michigan-redistricting-map-into-law-09
"I testified against this map in Lansing and I will actively support every feasible effort to challenge the legality of this decision," said Levin. "If legal challenges are unsuccessful in overturning this map, I will run for reelection in the proposed 9th District, which contains three-quarters of the district that I now represent."
Peters, meanwhile, reiterated he will be a candidate in 2012, but didn't specify where he intends to run.
"Even if these gerrymandered maps are allowed to stand, I am running for reelection to Congress because we need representatives who are focused on Michigan's future rather than being locked into the past," said Peters in a statement. "This map will affect who will represent Michigan families in Congress until 2023, and I will be carefully weighing what will be best for Michigan's future, not just next November, but over the next ten years." The new map also makes GOP Rep. Thad McCotter's 11th District four points more Republican, and, to a limited extent, shores up Republican Reps. Dan Benishek, Tim Walberg, Dave Camp and Fred Upton. Democratic Rep. John Conyers' Detroit district is also dramatically changed in the map, although it remains solidly Democratic, and he has already drawn several primary challengers ahead of 2012.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/08/snyder-signs-michigan-redistricting-map-into-law-09