05/07/2002 Archived Entry: "Indiana & Ohio primary results; OK & FL redistricting news"
With turnout low, the GOP continues to dominate these two midwestern states, and are now expected to takeover two seats in the House, while the Dems lose one DINO in Traficant, and the GOP loses one seat in Indiana. Only really close race to watch will be the IN-2nd.
Indiana Analysis:
IN-2nd:CD Long vs Chocola as expected. With 98% reporting, Chocola got about 30,100 for the GOP, against 1 other; and Long about 19,600 in the Dem against 4 others. Total GOP votes standing at 38,500 against the total Dem votes at about 37,400. This is a toss-up, with a slight lean toward a GOP takeover, as I saw it coming into the primary, which these numbers confirm.
In other Indiana races, am not surprised that Brian Kerns - R 23,844 30% was put away easily by Steve Buyer - R 43,791 55% Buyer will be in this seat at least another 10 years. In the 7th, Carson is promoted to vulnerable incumbent status, against the GOP's McVey. The 8th again looks competitive:
District 08 (D&R)
Democratic
Graf, Michael 17890
Hartke, L. Bryan 40305
Republican
Hostettler, N. John 29707
Ohio Analysis:
OH-3rd:CD Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 78,000 to 44,000. Crane, a very under performing 16,600 in the unopposed Dem primary. Turner 46,542 in the GOP primary, with 58,510 total GOP votes. Turner former mayor in Dayton, is now favored to win in the general. The US House 2002 webpage will be changed to reflect this. A likely GOP takeover of a Dem retired seat.
OH-17th:CD Shocker out of this district. Ryan over incumbent Sawyer, with Traficant in this district as well. About 70,000 in the Dem primary, a small 15,000 in the GOP primary, so the second Dem incumbent is beaten in a primary, due more here to redistricting, Ryan favored to win.
Taft over Hagan 54% to 45% in vote totals, which will probably be about the final vote tally in the general as well.
OK
New map floated
Just the first in a series of maps that are intended to become options for the Judges to choose from, imo.
FL
I bet this passes fairly easily, I wonder if it's retroactive or effective in 2010:
Florida voters have a simple solution to make sure this fiasco never happens again: Sign petitions by the group People Over Politics supporting two state redistricting reform amendments, so they can go on the ballot Nov. 5.
One amendment takes the job of redistricting away from lawmakers, and gives it to an appointed independent reapportionment commission, as is done in seven other states. The other amendment sets up strict anti-gerrymandering standards that courts could enforce. Lawmakers have repeatedly bungled the job of redistricting and have an unavoidable ethical confict of interest, keeping their jobs. The state Constitution doesn't have adequate standards for the high court to use in overturning badly gerrmandered districts. It's time for a major change, in the players and the rules of the redistricting game.
