I took a couple of what I think are the salient comments on the GOP redistricting plan and added them below. As a Minneapolis Republican, let me add my thoughts.
I have not checked this in detail, but I do not remember a single DFL candidate for a federal office who was not white, with the exception of one black man in the third in 2000, and he lost in the primary. The only minority statewide candidate I can think of was Edwina Garcia. Please correct me if I am forgetting someone. In view of this, how am I supposed to believe Mike Erlandson's assertions about minorities having more voice with two urban districts as opposed to one? Would I be able to notice any differences?
I was also surprised by Jack Uldrich's opposition (as Ventura's man) to one urban district. He ran against Sabo in the 5th as a Republican in 1996. I believe that a Minneapolis, St Paul, Columbia Heights district could give a good Reform or Republican candidate a shot. I certainly think the results of the elections throughout the nineties show that running against an incumbent in a district split across Minneapolis and the inner burbs is tough. The burbs want a suburbanite and Minneapolis wants a city dweller.
Rich Chandler - Ward 9
PS: I was picnicking at Minnehaha Falls last night - there is still snow in the bowl of the falls. Is this usual?
-----Original Message-----
From: BastilleChris
There are some interesting philosophical questions ponder. Such as: Minneapolis Republicans, do you support the state plan? If we have to swallow one urban district, which neighborhoods in Minneapolis SHOULD go? (You can make the case that despite their high DFL indexes, southwest neighborhoods probably have more in common with the Republican Edinas of the world demographically. Then again, maybe northwest Minneapolis belongs with Robbinsdale & Crystal, etc.)
Statistically speaking, the proposed Mpls/St Paul Congressional District does not actually increase power for minorities--it does the opposite. It is my opinion that this proposal is in direct violation of the Voting Rights Act and would cause any redistricting plan to be struck down in court-- resulting in a panel of judges finalizing the redistricting process. I am also quite confident that Governor Ventura would not sign such a bill.
Chris Allison
Gov. Ventura's Advisory Commission on Redistricting, appointed member & Green Party of MN representative
Whittier - Ward 6
-----Original Message-----
From: KarenCollier
With the huge changes in the urban area, which is now more 9 county than 7 county, many changes will have to be made. Personally, I think the way the 6th District has been configured has been a crime. Whomever represents that area almost completely circles Mpls/St. Paul area and I'm not sure how fair that is to either the elected representative or the people he/she represents.
Just some thoughts.
Karen Collier - Linden Hills
-----Original Message-----
From: David Brauer
A big question: evaluating the GOP's claim that Minneapolis minorities would do better in a "two-city" district because the minority population would be higher (in the 40 percent range, I think). DFL state chair Mike Erlandson made the point that minorities are better off with influence in two largely urban districts. However, that does halve minority population in both districts, and neither the Minneapolis 5th or St. Paul 4th has come close to electing a non-white. For those who want to advance minority power and representation, which would you rather have - the current set-up or the GOP's option?
David Brauer
King Field - Ward 10
