Padfoot
padfoot714
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Posts: 4,531
Political Matrix E: -2.58, S: -6.96
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« on: November 09, 2008, 05:40:00 AM » |
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As defined by the Census Bureau there are 8 major regions in the US. In the 110th Congress the regional breakdown of House districts was as follows:
Region Dems GOP Total States New England 21 1 22 CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT Mid-Atlantic 47 23 70 DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA Midwest 34 35 69 MI, IL, IN, OH, WI Great Plains 16 15 31 IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD South Atlantic 29 42 71 FL, GA, NC, SC, VA, WV South Central 32 42 74 AL, AR, KY, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX Mountain 11 17 28 AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY Pacific 46 24 70 AK, CA, HI, OR, WA Total 236 199 435
Here are the changes for the 111th Congress (current status as determined by CNN):
Region Dems GOP Total Undecided New England 22(+1) 0 22 0 Mid-Atlantic 53(+6) 17 70 0 Midwest 39(+5) 29 69 1 (OH-15) Great Plains 15 16(+1) 31 0 South Atlantic 33(+4) 37 71 1 (VA-5) South Central 30 42 74 2 (LA2, LA-4) Mountain 17(+6) 11 28 0 Pacific 46 22 70 2 (AK-AL, CA-4) Total 255 174 435 6
Democrats now have complete control over New England after defeating Shays. It appears that even the staunchest GOP moderates can no longer survive here. (At least not in the House.)
The GOP collapse in NY gave the Dems half of their gain in the Mid-Atlantic along with pickups in MD, PA, and NJ. Open seats were the GOP's biggest problem here. And the ugly GOP primary in MD-1 was most unhelpful.
In the Midwest Obama's coattails in his home state were a little disappointing as Illinois Republicans yielded only one seat. Obama was more helpful in MI and OH where the Democrats picked up four seats, two in each state. Democrats now control a majority of the MI delegation and are poised to control OH as well if uncounted absentee and provisional ballots are favorable to Kilory in OH-15.
The Democrat's best region was the Mountain West IMO where they picked up 6 seats out of only 28 total and they swept the New Mexico delegation. Democrats will be vulnerable in ID-1 and CO-4 where abrasive incumbents aided Democratic victories. However, the Dems will probably go after Dean Heller again in NV-2.
In the South Atlantic the GOP reclaimed FL-16 only to suffer losses in five other districts and it appears as if VA-5 may make six. Democrats are now within striking distance to claim this region in 2010 and their future prospects are being aided by rapidly changing demographics. Close calls for the GOP in South Carolina and Florida may end up being losses in 2010.
The most disappointing region for the Democrats was probably South Central where it appears they may end up with a 1 seat loss if the GOP wins the LA-4 special election. Cazayoux's defeat was especially disheartening even if it was expected. This will probably be a rough region for the Democrats again in 2010 as they have several vulnerable seats and little pick-up prospects.
Republicans also regained a one seat edge in the Plains region by defeating Nancy Boyda in KS-2 and managing to fend of challengers in a handful of competitive races. The Democrats will certainly be looking to come back in this region though after a handful of narrow losses.
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