Democrats Plan $20 Million Redistricting Effort for 2010
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee on Monday announced the creation of a $20 million redistricting fund to assist 2010 races “that will have the greatest impact on reapportionment,” according to a DLCC memo.
The memo, authored by DLCC Executive Director Michael Sargeant, highlights the group’s concerns over maintaining power in state legislative chambers, many of which are tasked with redrawing congressional as well as state legislative districts following the 2010 census.
“„The DLCC is determined to run the largest Democratic redistricting mobilization in history this year to ensure that our state legislative candidates have the resources needed to win against well-?heeled Republican special interests.
Republicans and Democrats alike have been accused of gerrymandering. Each party hopes to hold legislative control following the 2010 elections in order to limit the opposition’s power to reshape districts.
The DLCC identified ten Democratic-controlled chambers at risk for GOP takeover this year:
“„• Alabama Senate (21D, 14R)
“„• Colorado Senate (21D, 14R)
“„• Indiana House (52D, 48R)
“„• Nevada Senate (12D, 9R)
“„• New Hampshire Senate (14D, 10R)
“„• New York Senate (31D, 30R, 1 vacancy)
“„• Ohio House (53D, 46R)
“„• Pennsylvania House (103D, 97R, 3 vacancies)
“„• Wisconsin Assembly (52D, 46R, 1I)
“„• Wisconsin Senate (18D, 15R)
Additionally, Sargeant wrote that they are closely watching Alabama House, Michigan House and North Carolina Senate and House for a risk of takeover.
The DLCC also hopes to gain majorities this year in the following chambers:
“„• Michigan Senate (16D, 22R)
“„• Missouri House (74D, 88R, 1 vacancy)
“„• Oklahoma Senate (22D, 26R)
“„• Tennessee House (48D, 51R)
“„• Texas House (73D, 77R)
