Legislature approves new redistricting plan; How this will affect Mahaska County and surrounding areas
New Iowa Congressional Districts
The Iowa Legislature, on near unanimous votes, approved the 1st proposed redistricting plans this week. As a result of this vote, Mahaska County and surrounding areas are facing an all new Congressional District as well as an all new State Senate and State House District. Currently, Mahaska County and all surrounding counties are in the 3rd Congressional District, represented by Congressman Leonard Boswell.
Under the new plan, the following counties will be included in the new 2nd Congressional District: Mahaska, Keokuk, Wapello, Monroe, Marion, and Jasper. The only surrounding county not to be within our district is Poweshiek County. Poweshiek County will be a part of the new 1st Congressional District.
In the race for the 2nd Congressional District, Incumbent Congressman Dave Loebsack has said that he will move from his current home of Mt. Vernon 30 miles south to Iowa City. Loebsack was previously facing a primary challenge with 1st District incumbent Bruce Braley. Also rumored to be a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District is Christie Vilsack. Christie is the wife of US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Vilsack owns a home in Henry County, the Vilsack’s residence before Tom was elected governor in 1998.
The 4th Congressional District pits Republican Congressman Tom Latham and Steve King against each other in a primary. King has said that he will be on the ballot in 2012. Tom Latham announced on Friday that he will move to the 3rd Congressional District to face incumbent Leonard Boswell.
As for the statewide legislative races, many changes will occur. The new plan pits dozens of incumbents against each other. Below we have listed the changes in the State House and State Senate districts Mahaska County and surrounding areas will be seeing in next year’s elections.
Senate-New District Number and Counties Included in it:
The new Iowa Senate Districts
District 40: Mahaska, Lake Prairie Township in Marion County, Rural Northwest Wapello County, Monroe County, Appanoose County
District 14: Remainder of Marion County not included in District 40; Palo Alto, Fariview, Elkcreek, and Lynn Grove Townships in Jasper County
District 38: Poweshiek County, Iowa County, Benton County
District 39: Keokuk County, Western and Southern Rural Johnson County, Washington County (excluding Brighton, Crawford and Marion Townships)
The new Iowa House Districts
House-New District Number and Counties Included in it:
District 79: Western Mahaska County (Including Oskaloosa, University Park and New Sharon) and Lake Prairie Township in Marion County
District 80: Eastern Mahaska County, Northwestern Wapello County , Monroe County
District 28: Remainder of Marion County not in district 79; Palo Alto, Fariview, Elkcreek, and Lynn Grove Townships in Jasper County; Washington, Benton, Cedar, Lincoln, Pleasant, English, and Liberty Townships in Lucas County.
District 76: Poweshiek County and Iowa County (excluding Hilton, Washington, Marengo and Honey Creek Townships)
District 78: Keokuk County and Washington County (excluding Brighton, Crawford and Marion Townships)
New Senate District Incumbents:
District 40: Tom Rielly(D) of Oskaloosa
District 14: Paul McKinley(R) of Chariton
District 38: Tim L. Kapucian(R) of Keystone
District 39: Sandra Greiner(R) of Keota
New House District Incumbents:
District 79: Guy Vanderlinden(R) of Oskaloosa and Jim Van Englenhoven (R) of Pella
District 80: Open Seat
District 28: Rich Arnold (R) of Russell
District 76: Open Seat
District 78: Betty DeBoef (R) of What Cheer and Jarad Klein (R) of Keota
