Redistricting Decision is out!

[WestHoustonDem]

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/gen/ap/TX_Redistricting_Texas.html
Judges reunite Webb County into one district
By APRIL CASTRO
Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN — A three-judge federal panel on Friday reunited Webb County into one congressional district, solidifying Hispanic voting strength in South Texas.

The U.S. Supreme Court remanded the map to the three-judge federal panel to redraw the sprawling 23rd Congressional District, which it ruled in June unconstitutionally diluted Hispanic voting strength.

"These changes restore Latino voting strength to District 23 without dividing communities of interest," the judges said.

The panel reunited Webb County, which includes the majority-Hispanic city of Laredo, and placed it entirely in the 28th Congressional District, which is adjacent to the 23rd District. It added portions of Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, to the 23rd District.

The district stretches from Laredo to El Paso County and north to San Antonio. The high court ruled that the district boundaries drawn by Republican state legislators in 2003 diminish Hispanic voting power because a large cluster of Webb County Hispanics were divided into two different congressional districts.

The new plan also moves Kerr, Kendall, Bandera, and Real counties into the 21st Congressional District, represented by Republican Lamar Smith of San Antonio.

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[Czolgosz]

1. k & r for great news

[merci_me]

2. Link to Lone Star Project

with map and some stats

http://www.lonestarproject.net/

[sonias]

3. Mostly great news but I'm not sure about CD21

I don't know what John Courage will do. Do we fight in CD21 against Lamar Smith in a district that's now 65% republican or do we jump into another district?

We have a lot of decisions to make soon.

I'm happy Lloyd is safe in his district. I may get my Congressman back, but I will continue to work to get John Courage elected.

Sonia

[David Van Os]

12. I support John Courage all the way

I hope John stays in the fight against Smith. I hope he goes on out to Bandera and Kerrville etc. and takes it to the bastard in the rural counties. As I have informed John personally, "If you want Democratic ticketmates standing with you when you announce that you are still running against Smith in the new 21st, you can count on me to be there." Fight, fight, John, fight on!

[sonias]

13. Thank you David!

I'm feeling the same way. What better way to rebuild this party than to take it to the rural counties like you have. We should never give up on a fight because the odds are against us. We need to show the people that we're with them, and they should be with us too.

Sonia

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. that also means that DeLay can be replaced.

someone can step into that race.

[sonias]

5. No they can't CD22 is not impacted

This open primary is only for these Congressional Districts:
* CD 15 - Hinojosa
* CD 21 - Lamar Smith
* CD 23 - Bonilla
* CD 25 - Doggett
* CD 28 - Cuellar

It's not open season on all Congressional Districts. CD22 is still a fight between Lampson and DeLay or a totally uncontested race with Lampson winning out right. It's up to DeLay to stay and campaign or withdraw. Those are the only two choices in that District.

Sonia

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. thanks. I often admit that I am an idiot.

makes me wonder if I picked the wrong party.

:)

[NoPasaran]

7. No, you admit when you make mistakes

You're in the right party!

edited to correct a mistake

[sonias]

9. I agree with NoPasaran you are not an idiot

Things can be confusing in this state and if you're honest an admit you make mistakes you are human, and therefor a Democrat. It's the varmints in the other party that can never admit they're wrong, no matter how badly they screw up.

Sonia

[lostnfound]

8. Would LOVE to see Cuellar replaced with Rodriguez

wonder if that will open up that race again..

[sonias]

10. Nothing is off the table

However, Webb is the Cuellar base and that's now completely back in his district. It would be really hard to beat Cuellar in 28 now, and Ciro couldn't do it last time.

Now there is nothing stopping Ciro from jumping into CD23 against Bonilla, now that it's more Latino. We already have a candidate running against Bonilla in 23 - Rick Bolanos so it's up to Ciro and Rick to decide who has the best chance of winning that district.

Sonia

[Gman]

14. I talked to CIro last week

and he was keeping his options open. Now I hear he's thinking about running against Bonilla in 23. Still, the 30K votes Bonilla has in his back pocket from NW Bexar County is hard to overcome. Cuellar was able to just about match it with his Webb County base. But even Cuellar came up 3K short.

[Melissa G]

11. More to Celebrate!! Woo HOO!!! Maybe I get to vote for Lloyd again!

I'll work for Courage Too, though. He is a Fine man and a Great candidate!

I am SSOOO happy that the judges made Travis more whole again!!!:bounce: !!!:bounce: !!!:bounce:

Edit to say YEA!!! I got Doggett to rep me again!!!!!!!:bounce: !!!:bounce: !!!:bounce: !!!:bounce: !!!:bounce: !!!:bounce: