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In the Merrimack Valley: GOP Face-off in Redesigned Rep Districts
Lawrence Area of Redistricting Map
The Eagle-Tribune is reporting that the proposed redistricting of Merrimack Valley House of Representative districts would – among other things – pit two GOP incumbent freshman representatives against each other. Two Republicans from Andover would be the combatants. Two precincts in the North Tewksbury area are in the mix!
Tewksbury precincts 3 and 3A are currently in the 17th Rep District – the seat currently held by Paul Adams (R-Andover). Now there’s a plan to move us into the 18th District held by Rep James Lyons (R-Andover). That’s the fall-out that opens an incumbent-less new 17th as a second minority district in Lawrence. The 18th District – a crazy quilt of towns and precincts – was formerly represented by Barbara L’Italien. Haven’t gotten it clear yet but it seems more of Andover is in the newly proposed 18th District. This configuration brings two incumbent GOP reps into this same district. Will L’Italien return to the fray and be the Democratic opponent to the GOP primary winner? All speculation of course – this plan has yet to be approved! So stay tuned as the plan is analyzed, positions are taken and posturing begins.
Read the breaking news article here at the eagletribune.com.
Check the proposed redistricting map here.
Rep Paul Adams tells the Tewskbury Patch that he will move in to another part of Andover in order to be in the newly designed 17th district to run for reelection. He will not engage in a primary tiff with GOP Rep Jim Lyons in the 18th. A Rep needs to be a resident of the district in which they run for one year prior to election day. He’ll need to make a move soon! Stay tuned.
I’m glad they overhauled what used to be Barbara L’Italien’s district; it was just badly drawn. I was hoping for an Adams-Lyons fight and I don’t see Adams doing very well in a district quite so heavily Lawrence as the new one is.