Iowa likely to lose House seat in 2010 - DM Register

[Debi]

Washington, D.C. — It's gone from speculation to near certainty: Demographers predict Iowa will lose yet another House seat after the U.S. Census finishes counting heads in 2010.

Some of it has to do with bone-chilling days like those the state has experienced this month. As the midpoint of the first decade of the century passes, census figures show Sun Belt states are fielding population increases; Snow Belt states are staying the same or losing.

As a consequence, predictions are that Iowa will have to let go of one of its five seats in the House, while sun-bathed states such as Texas, Arizona and Florida will gain. If that happens, it would be the second House seat Iowa has lost since the 1990 census — or a 33 percent drop in House seats in two decades.

<snip>

Frey said the shifts also could profoundly affect national politics in a nation closely divided between red and blue states, as Sun Belt states — many of them Republican-leaning — exercise dominance when votes are counted in the presidential race.

But he warned that what he called "purple" states like Iowa — states with a close vote in the 2004 presidential race — can't be ignored.

He said in an interview that Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses might become more important than ever as a showcase for the interests of the Snow Belt states.

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http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051212/NEWS09/512120329/1056

[tom2]

1. Devil's Advocate

I could see how some would argue that the country would be better off with just 4 House delegates from Iowa. Look at the five we have now: from a moderate Dem and the pseudo-moderate Leach to hard-right Nussle, Latham and King. Not much of a contribution. But let's hope this changes some in 2006. At least Nussle will be out of the House, and it looks promising that we will have a progressive Dem in his place.

That said, the shifting of so many votes to Arizona, Florida and Texas is disturbing.

[blueloo]

2. hm

How western Iowa's CD lines would change would be interesting. Well, it all would be interesting.

[Debi]

3. Less representatives means less representation

(Even with batshit crazy King in there, we at least still have 5 reps - look at poor Montana with only one rep.)

The map will present some interesting debate come 2010 - let's hope Democrats are in power in 2010 so that we don't end up with a Texas-style redistricting!

[rurallib]

4. For sure - most of the population will be in the east

and Des Moines, but creativity can somehow tie Dubuque, Wterloo and Sioux City into one district, Davenport, Iowa City and Council Bluffs in another, CR + the middle of the stae in another and then DM by itself.
Anyone else here remember the district that stretched from the Mississippi to the Missouri along the Missouri border? I believe the idiot Jim Ross Lightfoot was the Rep for that mess.

[pstans]

5. Wow, those are some districts

Don't forget to add Ames, Marshalltown, Mason City, and Ft. Dodge in there. Together and you have a chunk of population in North Central Iowa to divide between the districts.

[progressoid]

6. Texas, Arizona and Florida...Yikes.

That's a more than a little scary.

Lets hope that by 2010, their demographics have improved. And maybe Texas will have fixed their districts by then.