TRENTON — Former Attorney General John Farmer, Jr. will be the independent, tiebreaking member of the commission that will redraw state’s congressional districts, according to two sources with knowledge of the pick. The sources were not authorized to speak publicly until the commission formally adopts the choice this afternoon. The commission, which is made up of six Democrats and...
John Farmer Jr. pictured in this Star-Ledger file photo.TRENTON — Former Attorney General John Farmer, Jr. will be the independent, tiebreaking member of the commission that will redraw state’s congressional districts, according to two sources with knowledge of the pick.
The sources were not authorized to speak publicly until the commission formally adopts the choice this afternoon.
The commission, which is made up of six Democrats and six Republicans, includes former Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts on the Democratic side and political consultant Michael DuHaime, an adviser to Gov. Chris Christie, on the Republican side.
Every 10 years, the commission is put together to redraw congressional district boundaries in light of census data. This year, its job is particularly important. New Jersey is losing a House seat, going from 13 to 12, because its population growth did not keep pace with faster-growing states in the south and west.
Farmer has redistricting experience. Three months ago, he served as counsel to Alan Rosenthal, the tiebreaking member of the commission that redrew the state legislative districts.
Farmer, who served as attorney general under Republican Govs. Christie Whitman and Donald DiFrancesco, is currently dean of Rutgers School of Law-Newark.
Previous coverage:
• N.J. parties pick leaders for congressional redistricting panel
• N.J. party leaders to announce members of congressional redistricting commission
• Congressional redistricting, budget gap could make this a crucial year in N.J. politics
• N.J. loses seat in Congress as Census Bureau unveils population numbers