Senate Approves Redistricting Plans that Reshape Shorewood

The state Senate approved the legislative and congressional redistricting plans Tuesday, which would bring new lawmakers to Shorewood.

The 19-14 party-line vote clears the way for the Assembly to take up three measures on Wednesday, which are expected to pass with a Republican majority.

Under the redistricting plan, Shorewood would be lumped in with Milwaukee and the 4th Senate District, now represented by Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee).

Without liberal-leaning Shorewood, the , stretching north into Grafton and as far west as the town of Erin in Washington County.

Currently the district's western edge only includes parts of Menomonee Falls and Richfield.

If the legislation became law, it would likely ensure an easy re-election for the River Hills Republican Sen. Alberta Darling's, but if Aug. 9 recall election challenger Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) wins the seat, she would still face an uphill re-election battle in the revamped district. The bill would take effect in 2012.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) has defended the plans saying Republicans are simply doing their job, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The bill would also move Shorewood out of the 22nd Assembly District under Pasch and into the 10th district under Democratic freshman Rep. Elizabeth Coggs from Milwaukee.

In addition, Shorewood would no longer fall under Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner's 5th but rather into the 4th Congressional District under Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore.

Legislators are constitutionally required to redistrict every 10 years based on new census population figures and demographic changes.