AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The new census numbers show many things but primarily that the Panhandle's population has grown tremendously. That, of course, means new redistricting lines will be drawn. Pronews 7 spoke to West Texas A&M University Political Science Professor Dave Rausch who says there will certainly be political changes. There's been a lot of talk about our area losing a state house seat, and perhaps a senate seat. However, Dr. Rausch says he's only predicting that we will lose representation in the house. He says that could very well be Warren Chisum in the 88th District.
"I think Representative Chisum saw the writing on the wall that his district lost 25,000 below what it should be. You can start to see the obvious thing to do, the districts that need fewer people to get up to strength taken away from the districts that have lost a lot," said Dr. Rausch.
"They're probably they're going to have a different State Senator in 2012. They're likely to have a different State House Member in part because redrawing the districts you were in this person's district, now you're in this person's district," said Dr. Rausch.
He adds, with this redistricting, he predicts Congressman Mac Thornberry's district line being redrawn to include less area to the East. Rausch also says he sees the districts for State Representatives John Smithee and Four Price to grow, as well as, Senator Kel Seliger's district.
