NEW BRUNSWICK — The talk of the day has been on the Democrats’ proposed legislative redistricting plans, but a look at what the Republicans proposed today creates some interesting matchups. The Republicans' proposal pits several Democrats against each other, but does not leave GOP Assembly incumbents completely unscathed, according to two sources familiar with the mapmaking negotiations. The sources,...
NEW BRUNSWICK — The talk of the day has been on the Democrats’ proposed legislative redistricting plans, but a look at what the Republicans proposed today creates some interesting matchups.
The Republicans' proposal pits several Democrats against each other, but does not leave GOP Assembly incumbents completely unscathed, according to two sources familiar with the mapmaking negotiations.
The sources, who provided the information to The Star-Ledger, were unauthorized to speak publicly about mapmaking negotiations.
To name a few of the potential matchups: State Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex) would be thrown into the same district as state Sen. Shirley Turner (D-Mercer). State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), a Union County power broker, would be in the same district as state Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union). State Sens. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) and Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson) would be placed together. And Assembly members Cleopatra Tucker (D-Essex), Grace Spencer (D-Essex), Albert Coutinho (D-Essex) and Jason O’Donnell (D-Hudson) would all be in a district that includes Bayonne and hops Hudson Bay to take in part of Newark.
State Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson), who has become an ally of Gov. Chris Christie, would keep his district largely the same.
Among the Republicans sacrificed: Assembly members Denise Coyle (R-Somerset), Erik Peterson (R-Hunterdon) and John DiMaio (R-Warren) would be placed in the same district. And newcomer Assemblyman Patrick Delany would be moved into a district represented by Assemblymen Jack Conners (D-Camden), Herb Conaway (D-Burlington) and state Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington).
The plans were proposed Tuesday and are likely to change as Republicans and Democrats continue to propose new legislative maps to tiebreaker Alan Rosenthal.
Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris), the leader of the Republicans' redistricting team, declined to comment on the specifics of their proposal.
The new legislative district map will be formally adopted Sunday at noon in Trenton.
A notice on the website of the commission charged with redrawing it says a vote on the map is scheduled for Sunday in Committee Room 12 of the Statehouse annex.
Previous coverage:
• Proposed Democratic redistricting map pits party members against each other, Sen. Codey against GOP
• Tea party group to demonstrate in support of map they submitted to N.J. redistricting commission
• Tea party group to demonstrate in support of map they submitted to N.J. redistricting commission
• N.J. redistricting commission returns to redrawing legislative districts after Christie visit
• Gov. Christie makes 'unusual' appearance at commission meeting to draw new legislative district map
• Early N.J. legislative redistricting plans by Republicans, Democrats widely diverge
• Tea party group submits proposed N.J. legislative redistricting map to commission