Posts Tagged ‘Western MA’
Scenario 2: Olver-Neal Primary
As I have said earlier, I expect the last situation to happen. However, this would mean no Representative would live in Boston, and also could irritate Lynch’s union base (he himself was a former ironworker). As such, another scenario arises. Currently, the Pioneer Valley has two Congressmen, Richard Neal (of Springfield) and John Olver (of Amherst). This region has a population of about 670,000, or roughly 35,000 more than a Congressional district and less than a Congressional District after the redistricting. Even when the Berkshires are added, the population is just over 800,000. Furthermore, Olver is getting on in years, and would appear the closest of all MA Congressmen to age-related retirement (Barney Frank’s case is special, if the rumors about him seeking a job in the Obama administration are true; plus, his district is virtually unable to be districted out). As such, it would make sense to create a district of Western MA, and have Olver and Neal compete in a primary (or just have Olver retire in 2012). In such a case, McGovern would get a more reasonable district, as he would be mostly representing Worcester County with the eastern parts of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties thrown in. Here are what the districts would look like in such a scenario:
Olver's/Neal's District
McGovern's District
Tsongas' District
Frank's District
Tierney's District
Markey's District
Capuano's District
Lynch's District
Delahunt's District
