WESTFIELD – The legislative redistricting committee has proposed a new map that consolidates the three existing US House of Representative districts into two districts.
The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting released a draft Congressional map for public comments Monday. The state Legislature is expected to vote on the proposed redistricting later this month.
The new districts reflect the loss of one of the state’s 10 seats in the House, due to population shifts measured by the most recent U.S. census. The map must still be approved by the full Legislature and signed by Gov. Deval Patrick.
The proposed map makes major changes in western Massachusetts by essentially carving up the current 1st District, now represented by U.S. Rep. John Olver, who recently announced that he would retire at the end of his term.
Berkshire County would be folded into a new district with Springfield, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal.
U.S. Rep. James McGovern of Worcester would reside in a district that would stretch north to pick up portions of Franklin and Hampshire counties, and south to the Rhode Island state line.
The new western Massachusetts congressional district, which will become the 1st Congressional District, combines Hampden County, Berkshire County, as well as parts of Worcester County and Franklin County, into one district.
Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement on the new congressional redistricting map that was released Tuesday by the Massachusetts Legislature:
“While I was an advocate of keeping two congressional districts based in western Massachusetts, I am pleased with the configuration of the new map.
The people of Berkshire and Franklin Counties are already very familiar with my record in Congress, from bringing high-speed internet access to the region, to investing millions in our local transportation infrastructure, and I look forward to getting to know them better.
We share common geography, values and beliefs. I am not a stranger to the historic and scenic communities in that part of the state, and I know jobs and economic development are top priorities. I expect to be a frequent visitor to their classrooms, small businesses and coffee shops very soon. And they should know that my door in Washington is always open.
Western Massachusetts is my home and I now will have the privilege of representing the entire region.”
State Sen. Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield) said Tuesday that the proposed redistricting map released by the committee “is the best I’ve seen so far.”
“It could be a more compact district, so there will be debate in the (Massachusetts) House (of Representatives) and the (Massachusetts) Senate next week,” Knapik said.
“It makes for a very strong Hampden County district,” Knapik said. “Hampden County will be the focus going forward. It should give candidates from both parties a strong base.”
“Springfield is our logical metropolitan center, the hub of our region,” Knapik said. “This will give us more of an identity as a region, which is a good thing.”
Six of the new districts have a population of 727,514, while three have 727,515 — virtually dead even.
Pam Wilmot, president of Common Cause Massachusetts, said that the decision, combined with the decision to create a minority-majority district, should help insulate the map from potential lawsuits.
