I think it stinks we’re losing a district, but we’ve known it was coming. Here is the first proposed map from the Legislative Services Agency below:
This first try puts Congressmen Steve King (R-IA) and Tom Latham (R-IA) in the 4th Congressional District. It then places Congressmen Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Dave Loebsack (R-IA) find themselves both in the new 1st District. Both sets would have to primary each other if they don’t move (and decide to run for reelection).
A couple of quick thoughts…
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I think the 3rd Congressional District looks less hospitable to Congressman Leonard Boswell without Grinnell. My prediction is that Congressman Tom Latham will move south and challenge him or that Boswell will retire.
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The 2nd Congressional District looks a little less friendly for Democrats without Linn County. The makeup of the district is pretty interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Loebsack stay and primary Braley. (Update: Scratch that, I didn’t make a prediction, but if I did I would have been wrong. There will not be a Braley-Loebsack primary to look forward to.)
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The 1st Congressional District looks like safe territory for Democrats with Linn County being added which is why I think Loebsack will stay, it will be extremely challenging for a Republican to win a general election there with Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Waterloo and Cedar Falls being the district.
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The 4th Congressional District remains red meat land, and it will be extremely difficult for a Democrat to win there.
I’m thinking as far as first drafts go, not so bad.