Maryland Non-Biased Redistricting: Sadly, my last one until Dave adds more partisan data

I do have some other cool things coming up for you soon, however.  

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This is by far the simplest state to redistrict.  There are relatively few counties, and the shape of the state makes it easy to redistrict as well.  Right now, the partisan composition is 7-1 D, but in a few months, it will most likely be 6-2 D.  The 2012 Redistricting will be based on that.

1st: Blue District

57-41 McCain, from 58-40 McCain

Little change here, but the district is much more contiguous.  Kratovil will be gone by the time the 2012 election rolls around, but since St. Sen. Andy Harris, the man most likely to succeed him, doesn’t live in this new district, Kratovil could conceivably run again, as could Caroline Co. Commisioner Jefferson Ghrist, who is running in the primary against Harris this year.  79% White, 15% Black, and Republican unless Obama wins by a landslide in 2012.  The E. Shore and Harford and Cecil Counties make up this district.

2nd: Green District: Dutch Ruppersberger-D and John Sarbanes-D

56-42 Obama, from 60-38 Obama (R) or 59-39 Obama (S)

I guess technically it’s now a swing district, not a Democratic district, but it’s pretty safe for any reasonably popular Democratic incumbent. I believe Ruppersberger would retire and Sarbanes would retain the seat. Nearly all of Suburban Baltimore County is here.  65% White, 26% Black. + 0.5 R.

3rd: Red District: Elijah Cummings-D

83-15 Obama, from 79-20 Obama

58% Black, 35% White, and very Democratic.  Cummings is safe here, with all of Baltimore and small arms of inner suburbs.

4th: Purple District

53-45 Obama

A nearly perfect swing district, consisting of Annapolis, Baltimore Suburbs, Ellicott city, etc.

71% White, 17% Black.  I’d assume this area is very wealthy. Now at +1 R.

5th: Yellow District: Roscoe Bartlett

58-40 McCain (no change)

Bartlett’s district is very similar and safe, with the panhandle, Frederick, and some Baltimore Exurbs. 85% White.

6th: Periwinkle District: Steny Hoyer

77-22 Obama.  From 65-33 Obama

This would be a very interesting primary if it happened, as Donna Edwards, lives here, too, but she’ll probably run in the 8th.  If she does run here, the district is 55% Black, 37% White, but Hoyer is a member of the leadership and highly entrenched.  Either way, it’s safe Dem.  Hoyer could always retire as well.  It combines high-minority Prince George’s County with Southern Maryland.

7th: Blue-ish District: Chris Van Hollen

68-30 Obama, from 74-25 Obama.

Van Hollen is happy he has no contested primary.  His district’s safe; it’s all DC Suburbs.  60% White, 14% Hispanic, 14% Asian, 11% Black.

8th: Gray District: Donna Edwards

82-17 Obama.  From 85-14 Obama.

If Edwards runs here, which is more likely, she’s safe.  It’s more DC Suburbs, including the U. of Maryland.  42% Black, 29% White, 19% Hispanic.

All in all, this district converts two blue seats to purple seats, which could lead to anything from a 6-2 Dem to a 4-4 split, depending on the year and the candidates.  I believe 5-3 would more accurately reflect Maryland’s Democratic lean, but this is how it turned out.

 

NY: Another non-VRA, non-biased redistrict

So NY will lose one seat.  Let’s see how this plays out.

Long Island:

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1st: Tim Bishop: 53-47 Obama. blue

Bishop’s district improves about one point for the Dems, but he’s relatively safe either way, although losing in a wave year is possible.  The way to create this district was a no-brainer, and it doesn’t change too much.  Most of Smithtown is replaced by most of Islip.  84% White.  

2nd: Steve Israel: 53-47 Obama. green

Israel’s district gets 3 points redder, with the loss of Islip and Plainview and the gain of Babylon.  It’s still a swing district either way, although it is usually forgotten that Israel’s seat would be competitive in an open race, with the right candidate.  Either way, he’s still safe.  73% White, 13% Hispanic.

3rd: Peter King-R or Carolyn McCarthy-D: 56-44 Obama. red

The Long Island districts are now combined, with King’s nine points bluer than before and McCarthy’s three redder. I’d favor King this year and McCarthy in 2012, when the redistricting would kick in.  Since neither were competitive districts before, and now it’s a swing district, there is no overall change, but the map looks less convoluted, and the one district that needed to be eliminated is.  Nassau Co. also looks very nice with only slightly more than 2 districts in it.  70% White, 14% Black, 12% Hispanic.

4th: Gary Ackerman: 52-48 Obama. purple.

Ackerman’s district shifts twelve points to the right, so its now R + .5, as it was Safe Dem before.  Honestly, he might retire, which would create a problem for Dems.  All of Queens is taken out of his district in favor of more of Long Island, including Huntington in the East, but there are now 4 Long Island districts instead of 4.5. 81% White.

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5th:  No Incumbent Representative: 68-31 Obama. yellow

At some point, an Asian representative is very possible here, with 41% White, 25% Asian, 16% Black, and 14% Hispanic.  However, it’s Weiner’s until he leaves, and it’s a 13 point leftward shift, which makes him very happy.

6th: Greg Meeks: 83-17 Obama. greenish-blue.

For most representatives, a district getting six points redder is a problem.  For Meeks, it’s no big deal.  41% Black, 22% White, 20% Hispanic.

7th: Joe Crowley: 70-29 Obama. gray.

Crowley (who I must admit I thought was Black until I looked him up) is safe here, although this is a nine point red shift.  However, I’d assume that this makes some other district further on safer, although perhaps not.  38% Hispanic, 35% White, 18% Asian.

8th: Nydia Velasquez: 86-13 Obama. periwinkle.

As if Velasquez would ever have any trouble.  Her district is no longer VRA, which makes it much more aesthetically pleasing, but it has the exact same PVI.  35% Hispanic, 28% White, 23% Black.

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9th: Ed Towns: 93-7 Obama.  bright blue.

Again, no trouble here, it actually shifts two pints leftward.  68% Black, 16% Hispanic, 10% White.  

10th: Yvette Clarke: 80-20 Obama.  pink.

Clarke shifts ELEVEN points red, but it’s no big deal at all.  43% White, 33% Black, 14% Hispanic.

11th: Mike McMahon: 51-49 McCain.  green.

All of Staten Island is included, although you can’t see it on the map.  This is also the exact same PVI as before; Staten Island has always been the most Republican borough, at least in recent times.  70% White, 12% Hispanic.

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12th: Jerry Nadler: 63-36 Obama. blue.

This contains many of Weiner’s Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, making it a an eleven point shift for Nadler, but he’s fine.  He’s also Jewish, which shouldn’t hurt.  51% White, 24% Asian, 19% Hispanic.  This is the last of the 12 districts that are on Long Island, whether the region or the 2 boroughs located there.

13th: Carolyn Maloney: 81-18 Obama.  peach.

The district shifted three points left.  That’s about all that is interesting about this very liberal district on Manhattan Island.  71% White, 12% Hispanic.

14th: (Hopefully not the ridiculously corrupt) Charlie Rangel: 91-8 Obama. puke color.

A fitting color for Rangel, and his district fits him, too.  Two points more red, 37% Hispanic, 29% Black, 28% White.

Bronx/NYC Suburbs:

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15th: Jose Serrano: 90-10 Obama.  orange.

Formerly the bluest district in the nation.  While this may not be true with the 5 point red shift, Serrano is safe, and the district is 58% Hispanic, 23% Black, and 13% White.

16th: No Incumbent Representative: 87-13. green.

One of the safest open seats possible for the Democrats, replacing Eliot Engel’s seat (I’m assuming he will retire).  47% Hispanic, 30% Black, and 17% White.

17th: Nita Lowey: 69-31 Obama. purple.

Her seat gets seven points more liberal, but she was safe either way.  With Yonkers, Rye, and a piece of the Bronx, along with other Westchester suburbs, it’s diverse and liberal.  51% White, 24% Black, 18% Hispanic.  And now the fun begins, with actual changes to members’ districts.

NYC Exurbs:

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18th: John Hall: 56-43 Obama. yellow.

Staying East of the Hudson river gets Hall an extra five points in the Dem direction, although this is still a swing district with the right Republican candidate, someone like Nan Hayworth, a moderate whom he is facing right now, this year.  White Plains and Poughkeepsie are the major cities/towns.  78% White.

19th: No Incumbent Representative: 52-47 Obama. green.

This should be a fun fight.  Nearly mirroring the national split of 53-46 last year, this district is swing suburbia, containing Rockland and Orange counties.  I’ll assume this Orange County is named for a different reason than the ones in California and Florida.  Either way, this district is anyone’s.  75% White, 11% Hispanic.

East Upstate:

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20th: Maurice Hinchey: 59-39 Obama. pink.

Surprisingly liberal for the location it is in, due to the dominance of Albany within the district.  Hinchey’s district is completely reshaped but maintains the same PVI.  Much nicer looking now, I would say.  85% White.

21st: Scott Murphy: 53-45 Obama.  maroon.

Murphy is now two points safer, but his district is still swing.  However, he appears to be entrenching himself early, and so he’ll be fine by the time 2012 rolls around.  Saratoga Springs, Troy, and Schenectady are all in this district.  An astonishing, very New England-ish 92% White.

22nd: Paul Tonko or Bill Owens: 51-47 Obama. brown.

One, or possibly both of these Democrats, have to go.  Tonko is more liberal and so would likely lose the primary, leaving it to Owens, although he is new.  This district would be only one point redder than his old one. It contains Watertown and many mountainous, rural, moderate areas.  93% White.

23rd: Mike Arcuri: 50-48 Obama.  light blue.

Arcuri is likely toast in 2010, and so a Freshman Republican will be tested with some new turf in 2012.  However, this district does lean Republican, one point more so than Arcuri’s old district.  It contains Binghamton, Rome, and Utica, and is 92% White.

24th: Dan Maffei: 59-40 Obama. purple.

Syracuse and Ithaca make Maffei safe.  The rest of the district makes it respectable and only 3 points more liberal than Maffei’s old turf.  86% White.  Maffei’s safety makes it D + 0.5 overall.

West Upstate:

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25th: No Incumbent Representative: 54-45 McCain.  rose.

I believe a Republican will win it.  The question is who?  94% White.  This is Massa’s old district.  

26th: Louise Slaughter: 59-40 Obama. gray.

The inventor of the Slaughter Rule is still safe here in Rochester, but ten points less safe, not a very big deal for her.  77% White, 13% Black.  No longer a gerrymander.

27th: Chris Lee: 49-49 McCain. green.

McCain carried this by 302 votes, so I believe Lee can as well. 92% White in these Buffalo Suburbs, along with Niagara Falls.

28th: Brian Higgins: 61-38 Obama. pink.

Somehow, over time, as Buffalo has gotten more moderate, Higgins’ district became a swing district.  Well, no more; it’s now safe Dem, meaning we’re at D + 1 overall for NY Redistricting in a fair manner.  This contains Buffalo and some surrounding southern and eastern areas.  Higgins is seven points safer.  77% White, 16% Black.

So there you go: in any given year, I predict 22-6 Dem edge, although the fact that there are so many Democrats becoming entrenched will help.

McCarthy and King are forced into the same district, and Engel retires, otherwise the delegation could remain the exact same, provided a Republican wins the NY-29 Election.  So there you go.  

CA: Non-biased redistricting, a.k.a. Will We Actually Benefit?

Assuming that California neither gains nor loses seats, how would a non-partisan redistricting (a.k.a. as little county/city splitting as possible, although the way CA is on the redistricting app makes pieces appear randomly that shouldn’t be in the district…i’m sorry about that.)

Also, non-biased means no VRA

Here we go: from North to South (Full disclosure: I live in NorCal, and it is much better)

Northern California:

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1st: No Incumbent-SWING DISTRICT: 51-46 Obama Blue.

This is what is the real NorCal.  Most rural, with lots of forests, the marijuana-growing Emerald Triangle and liberal Humboldt and Mendocino Counties combined with the conservative Sacramento Valley would give this to whichever party has the advantage that year and makes it an R+1 or R+0 district.  Redding is the major city, and if the representative hails from there, it’s likely they will be Republican, with Democrats being based on the coast.  An astounding (for California) 79% White.  Due to this replacing Garamendi’s district, I’ll say it’s R + .5

2nd: Wally Herger-R: 51-47 McCain Green.  I guess this district may be contested when Herger retires (he’s in his mid-60’s), but until then, he’s probably fine.  The college town of Chico, Herger’s base, and the Lake Tahoe resort area are the liberal parts, while the rural mountains and Sacramento Valley, including Yuba City, are the Republican strongholds.  77% White, this part of California just isn’t that diverse.

Sacramento Area:

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3rd: Dan Lungren-R: 53-45 McCain. Purple

Yeah, Lungren doesn’t quite live in the district, but he’s close, and a carpet-bagger anyways (as are McClintock and Garamendi, not sure what’s up with Sacramento-area carpetbaggers).  He’ll be fine, with conservative Sacramento Suburbs of Folsom, Rocklin, and Roseville.  Also 77% White.  Lungren’s safety means R + 1.

4th: Tom McClintock-R: 52-47 Obama. SWING DISTRICT

Red

Elk Grove, a relatively liberal suburb, and more conservative unincorporated Sacramento County combine with some Sierra Country to create another moderate district.  McClintock will be up for a fight in 2012, and it could go either way.  66% White, 13% Hispanic.  Back to R + .5

5th: Doris Matsui-D: 70-28 Obama.  Yellow

Capital city of Sacramento, college town of Davis, plus some suburbs and conservative, rural Woodland.  Which way do you think this district will go?  Majority minorityMatsui’s happy here.  48% White, 22% Hispanic, 14% Asian, 10% Black.  Yup, 4 races at 10% or more.

North Bay Area:

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6th: Mike Thompson-D: 67-31 Obama. Teal

Fairfield, Napa, Vallejo, Vacaville.  Vacaville is actually quite moderate.  The rest aren’t.  This district has very little of Thompson’s old territory, but it’s not biggie.  59% White, 18% Hispanic.

7th: Lynn Woolsey-D: 78-20 Obama. Gray

Easily the most liberal majority-white district in the nation.  63% White, 17% Hispanic.  Contains Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and upscale Marin County, along with minority-heavy Richmond (take that, VRA).  And yes, it’s connected by a bridge.  

10th: George Miller-D: 67-31 Obama. Pink

This district stays on one side of the bay, and yes, I know I’m not going in numerical order. Miller still lives here, and that means he’s safe.  63% White, 17% Hispanic, 10% Asian.

SF/Oakland:

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8th: Nancy Pelosi-D: 85-13 Obama.  periwinkle.

A speaker who just got us health care reform deserves…nearly no change.  Actually, that’s fine with her, in this very liberal SF district.  46% White, 29% Asian, 13% Hispanic.

9th: Barbara Lee-D: 88-10 Obama.  light blue.

This Black leader gets nearly no change either, but her district was already the most liberal in the state, so it’s OK.  Having highly Black Oakland and college town Berkeley will do that for you.  35% White, 25% Black, 18% Asian, 18% Hispanic.  So diverse.

East Bay:

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11th: Jerry McNerney: 65-33 Obama. light green.

McNerney just got a whole bunch safer, from a swing district to a Democratic one.  Back to R + 0.  See, redistricting doesn’t really change Northern California, so why can’t we un-gerrymander it?

The Peninsula:

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12th: Jackie Speier: 74-24 Obama.  blue.

Again, little change in this liberal district. Fun fact: did you know it’s a majority minority district?  45% White, 27% Asian, 20% Hispanic.

Silicon Valley:

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13th: Anna Eshoo: 72-26 Obama. reddish

My home district.  I’m gonna say Stark retires (his district will get moved) and Eshoo stays on.  She’s a great representative.  51% White (VRA will hate me), 24% Asian, 16% Hispanic.  This district’s per capita income probably will shrink a bit, too, with some of the East Bay areas.

14th: Mike Honda: 71-27 Obama.  ugly color.

And the VRA loses again.  This time, 50% White, 24% Asian, 20% Hispanic.  Yet, there is an Asian representative anyways, and he’s there to stay in West San Jose.  

San Jose:

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15th: Zoe Lofgren: 67-32 Obama.  orange.

Yes, this district’s weird, but a lot of the Santa Clara County blocks are screwed up, so don’t blame me.  Lofgren’s safe, and the district’s Hispanic plurality, at 32%, with 31% White and 30% Asian.  East San Jose is the base.

Farr’s District:

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16th: Sam Farr: 73-25 Obama. green.

I’m not sure how else to label Santa Cruz but the home of the white liberal: a college town with a beach and liberal marijuana laws, it’s why those conservatives hate California.  But this district also contains minority-heavy Monterey County, with Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy (not in the county, technically), and other areas.  It’s still 52% White, but also 36% Hispanic.  Farr is safe, although he may retire soon.

Recession Central Valley:

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17th: No Incumbent Representative-SWING: 54-44 Obama. Purple.

An open D+1 district.  Think it’ll be well-contested in 2012? So do I.  47% White and 30% Hispanic, with a surprisingly high 12% Asian for a Central Valley district, moderate Tracy, Manteca, and Stockton dominate, along with conservative Lodi and Lathrop.  Overall, I’d say it’s a toss-up district due to Hispanic turnout, although they may turn out for Obama if he succeeds with immigration reform.  This is the new Garamendi district, and so we’re up to R + .5 again.

18th: Dennis Cardoza: 51-48 Obama. yellow.

Blue Dog Cardoza is in for a tough fight as his district is no longer gerrymandered for a Hispanic. At 52% White and 35% Hispanic, Modesto and fast-growing Merced dominate, along with the smaller Turlock.  This toss-up means we’re now at R + 1.  Former Republican St. Sen. Leader Dave Cogdill could fight Cardoza, as could whoever replaces George Radanovich in CA-19 this year.

Fresno Area:

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19th: Devin Nunes: 56-42 McCain. green.

This district is actually the only of the first 3 Valley districts to be majority-minority, at 48% White, and 43% Hispanic, but there is low turnout.  Centered in Visalia and Madera, Nunes, who is actually Portugese and not Hispanic, will be fine here.

20th: Jim Costa: 51-48 Obama. pink

Fresno has been known for being conservative, and Clovis even more so, but with the entire city in one district, we can see it is more toss-up.  And a toss-up this one will be, meaning the gains are now at R + 1.5.  44% White, 35% Hispanic, and 10% Asian.

More Valley:

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21st: No Incumbent Representative: 51-47 Obama. maroon.

The everything-we-couldn’t pick up in the Santa Clara/Monterey County and Central Valley districts-district.  If I had to guess, I’d say anyone could win this district.  It contains farmland in the valley, Hispanic Hollister, Hanford, and Los Banos, and more white Paso Robles and Atascadero.  Overall, it’s 49% White and 41% Hispanic.  Due to this being Radanovich’s district, we’re at R + 1 again.

South Valley/Central Coast:

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22nd: Kevin McCarthy: 56-42 McCain. brown.

This district is ugly; I’m sorry, a lot of it is the voting districts.  The partisan lean is also ugly, but McCarthy’s very conservative, and Bakersfield is a great place for Republicans, as is the smaller Taft. 46% White and 40% Hispanic.

23rd: Lois Capps: 56-42 Obama.  light blue.

Technically winnable by a Republican, but it’s a blue district.  Instead of Capps being confined to beach towns in one of the ugliest gerrymanders ever, she’s got all of liberal Santa Barbara County, some of the Valley (Tehachapi, California City), and coastal Ventura and Ojai.  She’ll win, but the DCCC will have to put some money in when she retires to keep the district. 61% White, 29% Hispanic

24th: Elton Gallegly: 55-44 Obama. purple.

Gallegly’s district just got a bit tougher, and he may retire, he’ll be 68 by Election Day 2012.  If not, it’s a toss-up, like his old district, so no change there.  Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and Camarillo are all included here, with 56% White and 32% Hispanic.

25th: Buck McKeon: 50-48 Obama. rose.

McKeon’s district stays Republican in lean, although Obama won it.  Santa Clarita, Lancaster, and Palmdale, the last two desert cities on the other side of the mountains from Los Angeles, are the reasons L.A. County isn’t 85% Democratic like SF.  55% White, 28% Hispanic.  When McKeon retires, it may be winnable.

Los Angeles, Part 1:

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26th: David Dreier: 61-37 Obama. gray

So, um, yeah, David Dreier is gone.  Taking out Cucamonga, adding in Pomona, in other words, un-gerrymandering.  Bye-bye, now at R + .5.  48% Hispanic, 28% White, and 16% Asian (many in Walnut).  Covina is also in this district.

27th: Brad Sherman: 66-32 Obama. bright green

Sherman doesn’t have anything to worry about, San Fernando Valley district means liberal and 48% Hispanic, 33% White, 11% Asian.

28th: Howard Berman: 72-27 Obama. pinkish.

I really like how these guys are both Jewish, liberal, from L.A., and their names rhyme.  Anyways Malibu and L.A. are in this district, and that’s all you need to know.  50% White, 35% Hispanic.

29th: Adam Schiff: 66-32 Obama.  greenish-gray.

Here we have Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, and La Canada Flintridge, but nothing to worry about.  49% White, 26% Hispanic, 13% Asian.

L.A. Part 2:

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30th: Henry Waxman: 79-19 Obama. salmon.

Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Santa Monica.  58% White, 19% Hispanic, 11% Asian.  And Democratic.  Very Democratic.

31st: Xavier Becerra: 85-13 Obama.  yellow.

56% Hispanic, 18% Black, 14% Asian, only 9% White.  The least white district in California, I believe.  Becerra isn’t white, either, but he is most certainly safe.

32nd: Judy Chu: 77-20 Obama. orange.

Los Angeles, Monterey Park, Alhambra.  64% Hispanic, 21% Asian, and, yes, 10% White.  Told you it was more.

33rd: Maxine Waters: 87-12 Obama. dark blue.

Wow, the whites just keep growing.  49% Hispanic, 34% Black, and 11% White.  Inglewood and Los Angeles are here, which means so are the Lakers (and the Clippers).  As is Waters, as long as she wants.

L.A. Part 3:

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34th: Lucille Roybal-Allard: 76-22 Obama. green.

Bell, Bellflower, South Gate, Downey, and a slight piece of Los Angeles make this 79% Hispanic and 10% White.  Which party do you think will win?

35th: Whoever replaces Watson or Jane Harman: 73-25 Obama. purple

38% Hispanic, 24% Black, 22% White, and 13% Asian.  Does the Blue Dog Jewish woman or the liberal new representative win?  I’ll let you decide…and yes, it was accidental that Harman gets knocked out of the House.

36th: Laura Richardson or Linda Sanchez: 60-38 Obama. orange.

OK, there are some conservative areas here, like Torrance, to some degree.  But half of Long Beach is here, and so is Lakewood.  Richardson, or, more likely, Sanchez, is fine in her 37% White, 35% Hispanic, 15% Asian district.

L.A. Part 4:

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37th: Grace Napolitano: 59-39 Obama.  bright blue.

This district enters conservative Orange County, but not the areas needed to blunt a liberal district.  Half of Long Beach is in here, as is Norwalk, along with Seal Beach and Buena Park, as are members of a 39% White, 34% Hispanic, 18% Asian district.

40th: Loretta Sanchez: 49-49 McCain.  maroon.

I have heard Sanchez is a rising star in the party; this is her test.  Win a Republican district containing Anaheim, Garden Grove, Westminster, and Fountain Valley, and maybe you could be Senator someday.  40% Hispanic, 33% White, 22% Asian. In the meantime, we’re back to R + 1.5.

L.A. Part 5:

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38th: No Incumbent Representative: 67-31 Obama. teal.

Harman’s district ends up here, and so there is no partisan change, but there will be a new representative in this Whittier and Pico Rivera based district.  65% Hispanic, 16% Asian, 15% White.

39th: Ed Royce: 52-46 McCain. pale yellow.

A Republican district, the first in a while, and Royce is all good in Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Nixon’s home of Yorba Linda, and Orange.  48% White, 28% Hispanic, 19% Asian.

Orange County:

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41st: John Campbell: 55-43 Obama. gray.

The very conservative Campbell may have some trouble here, to say the least, so we’re back to R + 1, as this is only a swing district.  Liberal Irvine, combined with Tustin and Santa Ana, make this 43% Hispanic, 38% White, and 14% Asian, along with maybe a Democratic pickup.

42nd: Dana Rohrabacher: 51-47 McCain. green.

Containing everything with the word beach in it: Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, etc, along with San Juan Capistrano, Rohrabacher is, sadly, safe here.  73% White, 16% Hispanic may explain the reason why.

Inland Empire:

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43rd: Gary Miller: 54-45 Obama. pink.

Miller moving to a swing district means only R + .5.  He may lose here, but he may do OK in Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Chino, and Ontario, the West End of the Inland Empire.  42% Hispanic, 39% White.

44th: Joe Baca: 64-34 Obama. magenta.

Baca is fine in a majority (50%) Hispanic district, along with 29% White and 13% Black.  San Bernardino, Rialto, Highland, and Colton are here.

46th: Ken Calvert: 53-45 Obama. salmon.

Calvert is a slight bit more vulnerable now, and may be gone in 2012, as he has some slight corruption issues in Riverside.  Corona and very red Norco make up the rest of the district, which is 46% White and 38% Hispanic.

Mojave/Coachella:

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45th: Jerry Lewis: 55-43 McCain. blue.

Lewis is lucky enough to get a safe Inland Empire/Mojave district, with conservative Redlands and Yucaipa, along with Hesperia and Victorville and some mountains and desert in the east, plus Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, etc.  63% White, 24% Hispanic.

47th: Mary Bono Mack: 50-48 Obama. pink.

A slight bit safer, but still swing.  However, Mack is a moderate, and she’ll be fine in this district.  It contains Palm Springs, Indio, Hemet, and Coachella and stretches to Arizona.  53% White and 39% Hispanic.

Inland Empire 2:

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48th: No Incumbent Representative: 49-49 McCain.  orange.

Linda Sanchez’s district had to go somewhere, so here it is, bringing us to R + 1.5.  A Republican should win here.  Moreno Valley, Lake Elsinore, Temecula.  53% White, 30% Hispanic.

49th: Darrell Issa and Brian Bilbray: 53-45 McCain.

Issa’s not retiring, so Bilbray probably will.  This district has Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Vista, along with Mission Viejo, and is 65% White and only 22% Hispanic.

San Diego:

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50th: Susan Davis.  56-42 Obama.  pale blue.

So Susan Davis doesn’t have the last district in the state anymore.  But this district is swing, in an open seat race at least, so we’re at R + 2.  This part of San Diego is much more white, with 68%, 15% Asian, and only 11% Hispanic, amazing for how close to the border it is.

51st: Duncan Hunter.  52-46 McCain. brown.

Hunter gets the Republican areas of the border area.  Escondido, Encinitas, Poway, unincorporated San Diego County, and the more Democratic Imperial Valley.  56% White, 35% Hispanic.

52nd: Bob Filner.  55-44 Obama. forest green.

R + 2.5 now.  Filner’s also in a swing district, but he’s safe while he stays in Chula Vista and El Cajon.  46% White, 36% Hispanic.

53rd: No Incumbent Representative: 70-28 Obama. white.

White may be the color of the district, but the representative probably won’t be, and since it’s Bilbray’s district shifted, we’re at R + 1.5 for our total from fair redistricting.  36% Hispanic, 33% White, 13% Asian, and 13% Black.  

So there you go.  After 2012:

Retiring or losing:

John Garamendi-D

Pete Stark-D

David Dreier-R

Jane Harman-D

Laura Richardson-D

Brian Bilbray-R

Many others to toss-up, and seats may change hands in California (1 seat changed in 159 races over 3 years; CA-11 R to D in 06)

Comment if you have input.

Texas Redistricting: No VRA and No Partisanship

I’m back.  Since Dave stole my idea to color-code by presidential vote, I’ve decided to see what would happen to Texas if there were no VRA and no partisan redistricting, therefore keeping counties and cities intact.  Here we go.

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1st: No Incumbent Representative-R (R District)DARK BLUE

This district is a rural, conservative, Northeastern district, with some large towns in Longview, Texarkana, Greenville, and Paris.  Voting 69% for McCain and 76% White, this is an easy Republican incumbent hold.  Perhaps popular St Sen. Bob Deuell would run?

2nd: Louie Gohmert-R (R District)GREEN

Gohmert should be very happy here.  70% McCain, 72% White, containing Tyler, Palestine, and Nacogdoches.

3rd: Kevin Brady-R (R District)PURPLE

Brady should be pleased as well.  73% McCain and 79% White makes a Democratic representative all but impossible.  This district is Houston Suburbs.

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4th: No Incumbent Representative (R District)RED

While not immune to a very very strong Democrat, this 59% McCain district containing large Black areas (21%) in Beaumont is still 64% White Texans in the Houston Area.  I have absolutely no clue who would represent this district.  Ideas?

5th: Ted Poe-R (R District)YELLOW

More fun with Houston suburbs.  Poe’s safe in a 55% McCain district, although not to the extent that he need never worry about re-election in a Democratic year.  This district is only 51% White, with 32% Hispanic.

6th: No Incumbent Representative (R District)GREENISH-BLUE

Due to gerrymandering and population growths, there are many open districts on this map, ten in total, I believe. Here’s another, at 61% McCain and 62% White.  I’d give it to State Sen. Dan Patrick

7th: John Culberson-R (R District)GRAY

West Houston and Suburbs make Culberson relatively safe.  54% McCain and 44% White, however, do not make him immune to a strong challenge.  This district is over 10% in four different races.

8th: Sheila Jackson-Lee-D (D District)PERIWINKLE

Our first Democratic district.  Central and East Houston are 65% Obama supporters and only 29% White, with a plurality Hispanic.  Barring a racial-primary, she’s safe.

9th: Al Green-D (D District)LIGHT BLUE

South Houston’s 9th is 71% Democratic and only 24% White, with 34% Hispanic and 34% Black,but a Black plurality.  Green’s safe.

10th: Gene Green-D (R District)PINK

I have a feeling Gene Green is gone, giving Republicans a 2010 pickup.  A suburban, 59% McCain district is not really what he wants, particularly a majority white one.  R + 1 seat (not PVI, just my tracker for who benefits from redistricting).

11th: Pete Olson-R (R District)LIGHT GREEN

This one could end up being Democratic by the end of the decade, but Pete Olson, who will force Ron Paul into retirement, should be safe for a bit, at 52% McCain in another suburban district.  Also 10% for four different races, with 52% White.

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12th: No Incumbent Representative (R District)BLUE

Another open seat, this one based around Texas A&M.  66% McCain and 66% White gives this to a Republican, possibly St. Sen. Steve Ogden.

13th: Chet Edwards-D (R District)PEACH

Just because a district is 61% McCain does not mean Chet Edwards can’t survive, particularly since it contains his Waco base.  However, once he retires, it’s gone, and so we are at (R+2) for a 64% White district.

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14th: Joe Barton-R (R District)PUKE

Now entering the Metroplex, Barton’s new district is 54% McCain and 68% White, containing Mesquite and other Eastern and Southern Suburbs.

15th: Eddie Bernice Johnson-D (D District)ORANGE

This is very diverse South Dallas, 39% Hispanic, 38% Black, and 21% White.  At 78% Obama, any Democrat is safe.

16th: Jeb Hensarling-R or Pete Sessions-R (S District)BRIGHT GREEN

North Dallas is less diverse, at 50% White and 49% McCain (so many districts have the same or similar percentage White and McCain), and so this district leans Republican while remaining a swing district.  This means the total is now (+ 1.5 R), and we get to have a contested primary too.

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17th: Sam Johnson-R (R District)PURPLE

More DFW Suburbs, in Garland and Plano, and at 66% White, 57% McCain, Johnson’s more than fine here.

18th: No Incumbent Representative (R District)YELLOW

64% McCain, 80% White.  Need I say more?

19th: Kenny Marchant-R (R District)LIGHT GREEN

Marchant just got a lot safer in this Denton Co. district, at 62% McCain and 75% White.

20th: Michael Burgess-R (R District)PINK

The reason the Dallas area is so conservative.  A 62% McCain, 70% White suburban district, containing Irving and Euless.

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21st: No Incumbent Representative (R District)MAROON

I think we’ve seen this one before.  57% McCain, Arlington and exurbs, 67% White equals another Republican, maybe St. Sen. Chris Harris.

22nd: Kay Granger-R (Swing District)BROWN

Granger may have slight issues here, at 53% Obama in a Fort Worth district.  I’d say she loses in a Democratic year to a strong challenger (+1 R).

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23rd: No Incumbent Representative (R District)LIGHT BLUE

74% McCain,80% White gives this to any Wichita Falls-based Republican, or DFW exurbs. Granger might rather run here, but otherwise, St. Sen. Craig Estes may do so.

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24th: No Incumbent Representative (R District)DARK PURPLE

A Victoria and Gulf Coast district, Ron Paul may run here instead, as it has much of his territory.  63% McCain and 57% White, with 33% Hispanic for Paul or another Republican.

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25th: Lloyd Doggett-D (D District)ROSE

Austin can no longer be split into 50 districts under this plan, and so it is merely split into two. Doggett gets the liberal eastern portions, where i would assume UT lies, for 46% White and 73% Obama, with 35% Hispanic.

26th: John Carter-R (S District)GRAY

Score half a point for the Dems (+ .5 R)

West Austin, Round Rock, and Georgetown equal a 49-49 split, while still 77% White.  Carter is most likely safe, but open seats won’t be.

27th: Lamar Smith (R District)WEIRD GREEN

These San Antonio suburbs and surrounding rural areas are conservative,67% McCain and 73% White, and so I’m giving this district to the GOP.

28th: Ciro Rodriguez-D (S District)PINK

A half point for the GOP (+ 1 R).  Rodriguez’s 48% Dem, NW San Antonio district, although plurality Hispanic, is Republican, and Republican Hispanic representative outside of Florida is again a possiblity here.

29th: Charlie Gonzalez-D (D District)LIGHT PUKE

Gonzalez and successors are fine here in East San Antonio, at 53% Obama, they aren’t immune, however. Plurality Hispanic as well.

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30th: Solomon Ortiz-D (S District)SALMON

Ortiz is probably fine, successors may not be (+ 1.5 R).  Containing some of San Antonio, all of Corpus Christi (who names a town after a dead body), and rural areas in between, this district is 52% Democrat and 64% Hispanic.  

31st: Ruben Hinojosa-D (D District)BEIGE

Kingsville, Brownsville, and Harlingen = 65% Obama, 84% Hispanic.  Maybe the most Hispanic district in the nation?  Hinojosa is fine.

32nd: No Incumbent Representative (D District)ORANGE

now down to R + 1 again.  McAllen and border/rural S. Texas-based district is perfect for a Hispanic Democrat at 86% Hispanic (I spoke too soon) and 67% Obama.  I’d go with St. Sen. Juan Hinjosa (is there a relation here?)

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33rd: Henry Cuellar-D (R District)BLUE

Yeah, I know this is horrible for the Dems (R + 2), containing both Hispanic Laredo, Del Rio, and Eagle Pass and the White Plains, but it turned out that way.  44% Obama and 61% Hispanic means another Hispanic Republican, possibly.

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34th: Mac Thornberry-R (R District)GREEN

Amarillo, Plains, 77% McCain, 66% White.  Enough said.

35th: Randy Neugebauer-R (R District)PURPLE

Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, 68% McCain, 53% White.  Also enough said.

36th: Silvestre Reyes-D (D District)MAC N CHEESE (Thanks, Crayola)

El Paso gets the last district in Texas, and it’s safe, at 65% Obama and 77% Hispanic.

Oh, and by the way, Mike McCaul is gone, as is Ralph Hall, as is Mike Conoway.  They can retire.

So we go from (2009): 8D, 3S, 1 Chet Edwards, and 20 R to (2012): 8D, 5S, 1 Chet Edwards, and 21 R.

The End.

Another way to Use Dave’s Redistricting: Partisan Data for Maryland

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So, hi, I’m Josh, this is my first diary.  I’m 17, and I got bored one day, so I decided, why not redistrict Maryland solely by 08 Vote.  In simpler terms, let’s use Dave’s, but instead, color-code into Very Dem (>70%), Dem (60-69%), Mod (49-59%), Rep (39-48%), and Very Rep (< 39% using Dark Blue, Light Blue, Purple, Light Red, and Red.  I have done that here, and I will do a county-by-county description of Maryland (I will post New York soon as well).  This will also help those who plan on trying redistricting with these states.  I will talk about each county, sorted by population

Montgomery-DC Suburbs

 One of the most liberal counties in the state.  The area bordering DC (Takoma Park, Chevy Chase, etc) is very, very liberal.  However, as one moves outward, the area gets more swingy, particularly along the Virginia border, such as in Poolesville.  However, further into the state, a line of dark blue runs through Gaithersburg and Rockville.The very North of the County, areas like Laytonville, are even somewhat conservative

Prince George’s-DC Suburbs

 A highly Black liberal area near DC, containing Univ. of Maryland and Bowie, it is almost entirely Very Dem, with exceptions in some of Bowie and Berwyn Heights.

Baltimore County-Baltimore Suburbs

 A county with extreme variance and quite a bit of polarization.  The area southwest of Baltimore is mainly Rep, and the area North of that (West of Baltimore) is much larger and Very Dem.  North of Baltimore is more Mod and Rep areas, while more North of that, near Pennsylvania, is a Very Rep area.  To the Northeast of Baltimore is a mixture of Rep and Very Rep areas, and to the East of Baltimore, along the Bay, is some highly conservative areas.  However, overall, this county is Moderate.

Baltimore, the City

 Enough said.  Highly liberal, sparsely populated southeast is Moderate. rest is very dem.

Anne Arundel-Annapolis

 Relatively Republican suburbs of Baltimore. The parts closer to the bay are more conservative than the inland areas, with Annapolis being an exception.  Some highly Republican areas in central county.

Howard-In between DC,Baltimore

A Democratic area, not as much as DC Suburbs or Baltimore, however.  The Eastern half ranges from moderate to Very Dem, while the Western half is more similar to the Panhandle.

Frederick-Frederick

 Except Brunswick (Moderate) and Frederick (Dem), this county is conservative near Virginia and very conservative further in-state.

Harford-Balt. Suburbs

 Our most Republican turf yet, very, very conservative.  More moderate along the water.  Contains conservative Bel Air Area.

Carroll-Balt. Suburbs

 Harford’s twin county.  Same comments, no areas along water, Westminster is less conservative, but still much more conservative than the state itself.

Washington-Hagerstown

 Frederick’s Western twin.  Conservative near Virginia, moderate to liberal in Hagerstown, very conservative in panhandle.

Charles

 From the looks of it, it wouldn’t appear to be a Democratic county, but it has been for the past few elections. One of few counties Gore won while Clinton didn’t.  Northern half is very liberal, 1/3 Black.  Southern part, more conservative.  La Plata in middle is moderate.

Cecil

 Balt. Exurbs and some of the E. Shore.  Elkton is moderate, the rest is Rep or Very Rep.

Calvert

Mainly Moderate Republican.  I don’t know enough about it to say any more.

St. Mary’s

 Southwest Peninsula.  Republican, nothing too much of interest.

Wicomico

 An awesome name, contains Democratic Salisbury, moderate Fruitland.  Rest is very Republican.

Panhandle (Allegany, Garrett)

 You didn’t think I would list every county individuall, did you?  These two are identical, except population and the fact that Allegany has some Republican territory in Cumberland rather than solely Very Republican.

E. Shore (Worcester, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Dorchester, Garrett, Caroline, Somerset, Kent)

 Almost all Rep or Very Rep, no clear trends.  Some of Southern end more Dem, probably due to Black vote?

Please comment if you find this interesting so I know if I can continue this.