PASSAIC — The commission that redraws New Jersey’s 40 legislative districts is currently holding its seventh and final public meeting this afternoon in Passaic City Hall. After today, the commission will spend the next two weeks deliberating over a map before its deadline of April 3. Early in the testimony at today’s hearing, the topic turned to how to...
Members of the N.J. redistricting commission in this January photo.PASSAIC — The commission that redraws New Jersey’s 40 legislative districts is currently holding its seventh and final public meeting this afternoon in Passaic City Hall.
After today, the commission will spend the next two weeks deliberating over a map before its deadline of April 3.
Early in the testimony at today’s hearing, the topic turned to how to increase the representation of Hispanics in the Legislature — a debate that has shaped much of the process so far. This time, it was made in a heavily Hispanic city of Passaic, which is currently represented by three white lawmakers in the 36th Legislative District.
Hispanics only hold seven of the 120 seats in the Legislature, even though they make up almost 18 percent of the state’s population, according to the 2010 Census figures.
Republicans want to create more Hispanic-dominated districts, which would also have the effect of taking Hispanics who tend to vote Democratic out of some districts, making them more competitive for Republicans. Democrats concede there is not enough Hispanic representation in the Legislature, but deride the Republicans’ strategy as “packing” and say there are other ways to achieve the goals.
Martin Perez, president of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, advocated creating more legislative districts with majority Hispanic populations. He said the state’s only district with a current Hispanic majority, the 33rd, has provided a springboard for Latino politicians, such as Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, who served in the state Legislature, and U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-13th Dist.), who was the first Hispanic speaker of the state Assembly.
“We ask the commission to build on the successful model of the 33rd District. We ask the commission to look for other opportunities to create majority-Latino districts,” said Perez, who has worked with the Republican fundraising and mapmaking vehicle Center for a Better New Jersey to draw potential maps with Hispanic-dominated districts.
Although the 33rd District sends two Hispanic assembly members to Trenton, its state Senator, Brian Stack (D-Hudson), is white.
All of the state’s seven Hispanic lawmakers are Democratic. The late Assemblyman Eric Munoz (R-Union) was Hispanic, but passed away two years ago. His wife, Nancy Munoz (R-Union), took over the seat.
Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) called creating districts with majority Latino populations a “failed idea.” Schaer said there’s tremendous diversity within the Hispanic community, and concentrating them into one district won’t mean they’ll vote as a bloc.
“We’re blessed in Passaic to have large populations of Latinos from many different countries. And not only different countries but areas within those countries,” he said. “The question I would raise, respectfully, of course, is which Latino group would be the representative.”
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this post misstated a statement made by Martin Perez is advocating. Perez, president of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, advocates creating more legislative districts with majority Hispanic populations.