Texas GOP fights over redistricting map

Man, you'd think with TX Senate Dems holed up in New Mexico, that the state GOP would've had plenty of time to come up with a map.

But that would've required, what, intelligence?

Instead, the GOP is wracked by infighting over the final look of the map. A comprehensive overview of the current situation is up at the PSR by Texas guru Charles Kuffner.

One of the biggest sticking points is how to draw West Texas districts. Residents in Lubbock and Abilene want to keep the districts as they are currently drawn, with representation by U.S. Reps. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, and Charles Stenholm, D-Abilene. Craddick wants a new district created for Midland.

[...] There is no middle ground. Either Midland gets a Congressional district separate from Lubbock, or it doesn't. Either the oil interests in Midland get what they want, or the farm interests in Lubbock get what they want. In short, either Craddick or Duncan has to admit defeat and roll over.

Duncan can least afford to do this. He knows fully well that his constituents are opposed to any redistricting effort that splits up their area. All of the state reps from his Senate district have voted against it.

P.S. Charles Kuffner and the Burnt Orange Report give Texas the best 1-2 state-specific blogger punch of any state in the union.

Posted September 18, 2003 02:08 PM | Comments (26)