Redistricting News & Analysis

Pair of Pennsylvania Primaries (12th & 18th)

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 10, 2012 · 2:56 PM EST

The suburban districts in eastern Pennsylvania may get the most attention in November, but a pair of primaries in western Pennsylvania is worth watching this April.

Needing to eliminate one district because of the Keystone State’s loss of a congressional district after reapportionment, Republican map-makers drew two Democratic…

Indiana 5 Primary: Winner Take All

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 10, 2012 · 2:55 PM EST

It has looked for a while as if long-time Rep. Dan Burton might not be coming back to Congress next year. But instead of finally losing in a GOP primary, the long-time Republican House member has decided to retire.

Burton’s decision sets up a two-month sprint in a…

In Florida: Anger, Confusion, Musical Chairs

by Stuart Rothenberg February 8, 2012 · 9:24 AM EST

There is plenty of evidence that the political discourse in this country has degenerated into the gutter. But anger, hatred, name-calling and political musical chairs all at the same time? Welcome to the soap opera that is Southeast Florida.

Last week, freshman Republican Rep. Allen West, a favorite…

Tar Heel Blues Continue For Democrats

by Jessica Taylor February 3, 2012 · 9:51 AM EST

It’s a rough time to be a North Carolina Democrat.

In the span of just a week, the party’s seen Gov. Bev Perdue choose retirement over a competitive reelection she was likely to lose, Rep. Brad Miller headed for the exits rather than face Rep. David Price in…

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…