The above map shows new congressional district boundaries, approved earlier today by the 14-person Citizen Redistricting Commission. The nonpartisan commission also redrew the borders for state senate, assembly and Board of Equalization districts (see the full maps here), but it’s the Congressional map that’s most newsworthy to us here on the North Coast.
Why? Because, as predicted, Congressman Mike Thompson’s home of St. Helena has been excised from our district (along with Clearlake, Napa and Davis) in favor of hoity-toity Marin County (see the before and after maps here).
Reached moments ago, Thompson’s communication director, Caroline Hogan, said the longtime First District representative is waiting for the Redistricting Commission’s final vote on Aug. 15 before commenting on the maps. Even then the redistricting shuffle may not be final since residents can challenge the new boundaries in court or by referendum, which could drag on for months or years.
At the press conference announcing the vote today, a commission member confidently asserted that they’d followed the criteria set forth in the California Constitution, studiously ignoring political party affiliations and concerns, and that the commission is confident the maps “will prevail against any and all legal challenges.”
As pointed out over on the Lost Coast Outpost, a state congressman doesn’t actually have to live in the district he or she represents. Might Thompson choose his coastal friends over a now-landlocked Napa wine country? Seems unlikely, but for now he’s not saying either way.
Humboldt County still falls within the district boundaries of State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata), though their respective political landscapes have shifted somewhat, with Evans’ district picking up Marin and Del Norte counties and Chesbro’s acquiring a hunk of Santa Rosa.
Today’s Los Angeles Times has a good overview of the entire process, including a quote from Eureka fisherman David Bitts, who weighs in on the longstanding tug-o-war between fishermen and inland potato farmers over the water of the Klamath River. He urged the Redistricting Commission to keep the districts oriented north-south, rather than lumping us in with the Central Valley.
“However you slice it, the North Coast is going to be the tail of its congressional district just because of population,” Bitts says. “I think, speaking for the tail of the dog, I’d rather be wagged by a breed that I at least recognize.”
This article appears in Whales. In a River..
You might want to look up the meaning of the term “hoity-toity”.
Dave Bitts did a phenomenal job speaking to the Commission. A few months ago when the Commission briefly flirted with tying Humboldt with the inland counties, Dave came to a Commission meeting and delivered an amazing, very witty presentation on why that was a very bad idea. The Commission loved it – and Dave. Several others testified to the same theme – keep the coastal counties together. Almost immediately Humboldt was back in the mix with the rest of the North Coast and the Commission never looked at an East-West alignment again. Good work Mr. Bitts.
“hoity-toity” online dictionary = affectedly genteel. Seems like the Marin I know.
The North Coast will be part of a unwieldy congressional district, until population reaches a much higher level. Given that, this new commission has finally made a good stab at balancing districts, reducing gerrymandering and paving the way for more turnover in elected office.
I think we need more diversity when it comes to the type of political parties we have running the government here in California. Someone needs to start a new
I think we need more diversity when it comes to the type of political parties we have running the government here in California. Someone needs to start a new California political party that can represent the people instead of special interests. Only hope I live to see that day!!!
Political parties in California are still pretty much dominated by the two big parties – Democrats and Republicans. We are starting to see inroads made by other parties such as The Green Party and Libertarian Party. However we are still a ways off from a multi party system here in the state.
Political parties in California are still pretty much dominated by the two big parties – Democrats and Republicans. We are starting to see inroads made by other parties such as The Green Party and Libertarian Party. However we are still a ways off from a multi party system here in the state.
I think we need more diversity when it comes to the type of political parties we have running the government here in California. Someone needs to start a new California political party that can represent the people instead of special interests. Only hope I live to see that day!!!