Michigan’s political future is set, at least on paper. The new maps were approved by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Tuesday night.
Even though the most drastic changes occurred down state, Northern Michigan will be seeing changes almost everywhere and some big decisions to be made by current lawmakers.
The redistricting commission was adamant, every time they were asked about it, that incumbent politicians were not a factor in how maps were drawn. The results proved it.
On the State Senate map, one of the biggest changes will be seen in the size and shape of the district currently held by Senator Curt VanderWall.
One point of issue will be the new 33rd District. Current Senator Jon Bumstead lives in Newaygo while current Senator Rick Outman lives in Six Lakes, the same district.
State office holders have to live in the district they represent so they have a decision to either move or run against each other in a primary. Neither could be reached for comment to 9&10 News.
Looking at the State House map, there are more significant changes and it’s upsetting some of the lawmakers already in office.
“I believe even one of the commissioners said yesterday in the context that Northern Michigan got kind of short shifted and I agree,” said Rep. Jack O’Malley, “Just with the drawings of things and it didn’t have to happen but it is what it is and we’ll have to deal with it.”
Not everybody is seeing a major change, Rep. John Damoose and Rep. Ken Borton will each gain a few counties and lose a few but have an open lane to re-election.
“I love Sault Ste. Marie and Chippewa County. I love my whole district but that was my biggest threat though because some maps had me losing that and I was so upset,” said Damoose, “But that’s not the case and I’m very happy with that.”
“I think with the communities of interest, they did a good job with that and some of the counties that they have added. Crawford, Roscommon, Missaukee and some of Kalkaska, those are all areas I’m very familiar with,” said Borton, “I’m very excited to meet people in this new area.”
O’Malley is a bit annoyed because he lives in Lake Ann, now in the 103rd District, also where freshman Rep. John Roth lives.
Someone will have to move, run against or step aside. That is if lawsuits don’t force changes to these maps in the coming weeks.
“If they stay the same, that’s a different story but right now I’m not panicking,” said Roth, “But I can tell you I am not looking forward to or would I really want to run against Jack O’Malley in a primary.”
“We have talked about several kind of scenarios,” said O’Malley, “And in the next few days, we will chat and come up with exactly what we want to do.”
One thing for Roth is he lives just about a half a mile from the border with the new 104th District, so if he were to move, it wouldn’t have to be far.
“I’ve not made a 100% commitment to anything yet,” said Roth, “I need to talk to my family to make sure they are fine to relocate for four years. There’s a lot to talk about yet.”
As for the rest of the area, there will be new faces everywhere as each of the remaining representatives in Northern Michigan are term limited. 2022 is going to be a hectic year leading up to Election Day.
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