Proposed maps shuffle boundaries of state Senate districts

The first set of proposed redistricting maps have shuffled district boundaries in Southeast Iowa.

While the maps, drawn up by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, shift district boundaries for the three area state senators, none of the three senators is bumped into districts with other incumbents.

State Sen. Jeff Reichman, R-Mt. Pleasant, currently represents District 42, which includes Henry and Lee counties, as well as eastern Jefferson County.

Under the newly proposed map, Reichman would be in District 40, which encompasses Henry, Van Buren and Lee counties and a small portion of southwest Des Moines County.

District 41 state Sen. Adrian Dickey, R-Packwood, currently represents District 41, which includes Van Buren and Davis counties, western Jefferson County and eastern Wapello County.

The new map has Dickey in District 39, which includes all of Wapello and Jefferson counties and southern Washington County (Washington, West Chester, Brighton, Ainsworth and Crawfordsville).

State Sen. Kevin Kinney, D-Oxford, represents District 39, which currently encompasses Keokuk County, most of Washington County except for the southern tier and western and southern Johnson County.

The new map puts Kinney in District 49, which includes Johnson County — not including Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty — and Linn County, not including Cedar Rapids, Marion and Hiawatha.

The northern tier of Washington County — Kalona, Wellman and Riverside — that Kinney currently represents is moved into District 38 in the new map.

The new District 38 includes all of Iowa and Keokuk counties, northern Washington County, northern Poweshiek County (Brooklyn, Malcom and Guernsey) and southern Benton County.

State Sen. Dawn Driscoll, R-Williamsburg, currently represents District 38.

None of the state senators directly addressed the new district lines, but all of them praised the state’s nonpartisan redistricting process.

“We all see a common message from each side of the aisle,” Reichman said. “Everyone agrees the districting process has worked for more than 50 years and recognized as one of the most fair.”

Dickey said, “Iowa has a nationally recognized redistricting process. I look forward to working through that process in the coming weeks.”

Kinney expressed initial support for the proposed maps.

“Like most Iowans, I am proud of Iowa’s nonpartisan redistricting process,” Kinney said. “Iowans deserve a fair redistricting process, without interference from politicians.

“We continue to review the details of the plan to ensure that it meets all the legal and constitutional requirements. If it does, I expect to vote for Plan 1 when the Legislature reconvenes for a special session on Oct. 5.”

The Iowa Legislature will convene Oct. 5 for a special session to vote on the proposed maps.

If the maps are not approved, the Legislative Services Agency will have to come up with a second set of maps for consideration by the Legislature.

If the Legislature votes no again, a third map will be produced, which can be amended by lawmakers.

Comments: james.jennings@southeastiowaunion.com