Redistricting News & Analysis

Florida Map Coming Into Focus

by Jessica Taylor February 1, 2012 · 4:41 PM EST

As Florida Republicans approach a compromise on redistricting, a game of musical chairs between GOP Reps. Allen West and Tom Rooney could potentially save one of the most endangered members of Congress.

With Rooney announcing he’ll run in the solidly Republican 17th District, which includes about 40 percent…

The Civil Wars

by Jessica Taylor January 27, 2012 · 1:59 PM EST


The decennial knife-fight known as redistricting is poised to claim more victims in 2012 intraparty squabbles than ten years ago, and it’s Democrats who will have more member-member primary fights on their hands than their GOP counterparts.

Republicans, overall, have done a better job at avoiding…

Ohio House Primaries: Can’t We All Just Get Along?

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 27, 2012 · 1:58 PM EST

Republicans hit some bumps in the road on their way to implementing their redistricting map, putting the primary date in danger of being moved. But a deal with some Democrats in the legislature preserved much of the Republicans’ plan and in time to save the March 6 primary.

Illinois House Primaries: Don’t Take This Personally

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 27, 2012 · 1:56 PM EST

Democrats maximized their opportunity to draw the new congressional map, but they couldn’t avoid a couple competitive primaries.

In the 2nd District, Cong. Jesse Jackson Jr. faces a former colleague, Debbie Halvorson, in the March 20 Democratic primary in a redrawn district that stretches well outside of his…

Alabama House Primaries: Please Forgive Me

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 27, 2012 · 1:56 PM EST

Spencer Bachus (R) has been in Congress for ten terms. Mo Brooks (R) hasn’t been there much longer than ten months. But both men could face serious challenges as Republican voters in Alabama gear up for the March 13 primary.

Neither Bachus’ 6th District nor Brooks’ 5th District…

Mississippi House Primaries: No Pardon for Nunnelee

by Nathan L. Gonzales January 27, 2012 · 1:55 PM EST

Mississippi hosted two competitive House races last cycle when Republicans Alan Nunnelee and Steven Palazzo knocked off incumbents. This cycle, the best action in the Magnolia State will likely be in the March primaries instead of November.

At one point, Nunnelee, Palazzo, and Bennie Thompson (D) looked like…

Giffords Resignation Sets Up Likely Competitive Special Election

by Jessica Taylor January 22, 2012 · 3:48 PM EST

Cong. Gabrielle Giffords announced in a video message Sunday she would resign from Congress this week to focus on her ongoing recovery after an assassination attempt on her life last January.

Giffords has been ever the picture of inspiration and poise, to both Republicans and Democrats,…

Virginia Redistricting: Making the “Ins” Further “In”

by Stuart Rothenberg January 20, 2012 · 3:10 PM EST

Virginia’s new congressional districts don’t dramatically alter the partisanship of many districts, but the lines do solidify incumbents from both parties.

Democrat Gerry Connolly’s 11th District becomes about five points more Democratic, making his already Democratic-leaning district safe for him and for his party. Republican presidential candidate John…

A Rough Estimate of the Current House Field

by Stuart Rothenberg January 20, 2012 · 2:12 PM EST

Contrary to what you see on television and cable news, there are other elections besides the presidential race this year. And for those who care about control of Congress, the picture there is starting to come into better focus.

Because of substantial redistricting gains in three large states…

2012 House Overview (January 13, 2012)

by Stuart Rothenberg January 13, 2012 · 10:58 AM EST

Redistricting looks to become a small net plus for Democrats, but Republicans succeeded in shoring up a number of districts that they won unexpectedly in 2010. So while Democrats may well pick up a few extra seats because of the new lines, they may have fewer other seats to…