GOSHEN —
It could be a whole new political ballgame.
Proposed changes to Indiana’s U.S. Congressional districts show a massive shift in the makeup of the 2nd and 3rd districts, represented by Democrat Rep. Joe Donnelly and Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman, respectively.
2nd District
The 2nd District currently includes all of LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall, Starke, Pulaski, Fulton, Cass and Carroll Counties, parts of Porter and Elkhart counties — including the city of Elkhart — and the city of Kokomo. According to the proposed map, the district would include all of St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, Starke, Pulaski, Fulton, Miami and Wabash Counties and most of Kosciusko County.
After getting his first look at the proposal, Donnelly shared his displeasure.
“I am disappointed because it appears that politics played into the drawing of the congressional district lines revealed (Monday) by Republicans in the General Assembly,” Donnelly said in a prepared statement. “By comparison, the Indiana Senate Democrats released a map of congressional districts a few weeks ago that respected ‘communities of interest,’ as called for by Governor Daniels.”
Donnelly said he is still confident a Democrat can win in the new version of the district, noting that then-Senator Barack Obama earned 49 percent of the vote in the district in 2008 and that it is not uncommon for a Democratic candidate in Indiana to outperform their nominee for president, which he did that year, outperforming Obama by 13 points.
“As for my future plans, my decision will ultimately be based on how I can best serve the people of this great state,” Donnelly said. “I will soon be sitting down with my wife and children and expect to make a decision in the coming weeks.”
Donnelly is considering a run for Indiana governor in 2012.
3rd District
The 3rd District currently includes all of Steuben, LaGrange, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley and Kosciusko Counties and most of Elkhart and Allen Counties — excluding the city of Elkhart. According to the proposed map, the district would include all of LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, Allen, Adams, Wells, Huntington and Jay Counties and parts of Kosciusko and Blackford Counties.
Stutzman’s response to the proposal was limited.
“It’s a privilege to serve the 3rd District,” he said, “and as we go through redistricting, we’ll see what the general assembly comes up with.”
According to Stutzman’s press secretary, Chris Sanders, Stutzman is waiting to make any kind of judgment on the map until he sees the final approved version.
The 3rd District had been represented by Mark Souder starting in 2003, after a redistricting shifted him from the state’s 4th District
Local response
Elkhart County party officials also chimed in on the new districts.
Dale Stickel, Elkhart County Republican chairman, said the fundamental question will be whether or not the Republicans drew the districts more fairly than Democrats.
“Ten years ago the Democrats totally overreached,” Stickel said, “and it was horrific gerrymandering.”
He added that he is pleased all of Elkhart County would be in one Congressional district in this proposal.
Monday’s proposed districts wasn’t a shock to Sheri Mellin, chair of the Elkhart County Democrats.
“I’m not surprised,” she said. “I suppose the Republicans think it will make it easier to elect a Republican if the counties (Elkhart and St. Joseph) are together.”
She did not necessarily agree with that theory, saying the right candidate could be elected anywhere.
She went on to explain the change would be beneficial for party chairs currently working in two Congressional districts.
“It’ll make life easier for me,” she said. “As we are part of two districts, I have to go to meetings in both.”
Staff Writer Rod Rowe contributed to this report
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