NEW BRUNSWICK — It’s one of the most important political events of the decade, and it’s getting down to the wire. Today, the commission that redraws the state’s 40 legislative districts is expected to informally choose a map for the next decade. Sunday at noon, they’ll hold an official vote to adopt it. Lawmakers are on edge as they...
NEW BRUNSWICK — It’s one of the most important political events of the decade, and it’s getting down to the wire.
Today, the commission that redraws the state’s 40 legislative districts is expected to informally choose a map for the next decade. Sunday at noon, they’ll hold an official vote to adopt it.
Lawmakers are on edge as they prepare to learn their political fates, with at least one considering moving if he’s put into an unfriendly district.
Democrats and Republicans have prepared for state legislative redistricting for years, but much of the work was crunched into the last week at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick, as each party’s five-member teams huddled separately behind closed doors with the deadline approaching, and shuttled in and out of meetings with tiebreaker Alan Rosenthal.
Friday night, the parties submitted their final proposals to Rosenthal, who is expected to cast his vote with one of the parties today.
How the new map is configured will help decide which party controls the state Senate and Assembly, which are both currently held by Democrats.
Rosenthal has said he would like both sides to agree on a map. But when asked the likelihood of that prospect Thursday, Senate President Stephen Sweeney wasn’t optimistic.
"What is the likelihood of me growing hair again?" he said.
Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris), leader of the GOP’s redistricting team, confirmed that the dynamic had not changed Friday.
"Let’s put it this way: They have our phone number and they haven’t been calling, and vice-versa," he said.
Adding to the tense situation Friday was a second visit by Gov. Chris Christie — the first governor in recent memory to be directly involved in redistricting negotiations. On learning of his arrival, Democrats perked up and gathered in the hallway, where one staffer played the Imperial March from Star Wars on his cell phone. Christie stayed six and a half hours, and left without answering questions from reporters who chased after him as he entered his SUV.
Lawmakers, on edge as the clock ticks towards high noon on Sunday, will finally know their fate — whether they’ll remain in districts where they have a good shot to win reelection or be thrown into unfamiliar, and potentially hostile political territory. Some are already making contingency plans.
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) thinks he’s a potential target in the redistricting process, and has heard his own party has floated map proposals that put his hometown of Princeton Borough in a district dominated by well-heeled, Republican Somerset County.
"It’s basically putting a Democrat in an all-Republican district. I think there are more horses than Democrats," said Gusciora, who is the only openly gay lawmaker and has feuded with party leaders, who removed him from the chairmanship of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee last year.
If that happens, Gusciora said he’ll consider moving to a district that better resembles the Trenton area district he currently represents.
"I like living in Princeton and I’d like to remain there, but at the same time I’ll keep all options on the table," he said. "Yes, I would consider moving. I’ve represented Trenton, the capital district, since 1996."
The state Constitution requires legislative candidates live in their districts for at least one year, but 10 years ago a federal judge ruled the provision violated the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection clause.
Come Sunday, several other lawmakers could find themselves considering the same option if they wind up with their hometowns scooped out of the district they used to represent and put into a new one with different constituents, demographics and political allegiances.
Election law attorney Paul Josephson said candidates would probably be able to move into districts before the date of the primary, but should probably at least rent an apartment in the new district before petition filing deadlines to avoid challenges to their candidacies.
"Otherwise, they’ll spend the month of April and May in litigation instead of running a primary campaign," he said.
Previous coverage:
• Republicans, Democrats to present N.J. legislative redistricting maps to tiebreaker today
• N.J. minority groups say they're unhappy with legislative redistricting process
• Gov. Christie arrives in New Brunswick for N.J. redistricting commission meetings
• Deadline approaches to complete redrawn N.J. legislative map
• Some Democratic state senators push back against party's redistricting plan
• Proposed Democratic redistricting map pits party members against each other, Sen. Codey against GOP
• Early N.J. legislative redistricting plans by Republicans, Democrats widely diverge
• Tiebreaking member of N.J. commission defends politics of redistricting process
• Rutgers professor appointed to redistricting commission downplays newfound power