Every 10 years, legislative and congressional district maps are redrawn to better reflect the changing population following the release of the decennial census. On Tuesday, a five-judge panel released the updated redistricting maps for Minnesota. Potential candidates have until May 8, 2022, to establish residency in the district in which they intend to run for office.  

Legislative Maps
Due to population growth in the metro, the new redistricting maps reflect an increase in metro area districts and a decrease in the geographical size of most metro districts. Additionally, as typically happens, several incumbent legislators are now paired together in the same district. This creates a difficult decision for these members on whether to move, retire, or challenge the legislator they are paired with in the upcoming election.

Retirements
Currently, 18 incumbent House members and 10 incumbent Senate members have announced plans to retire after this session or run for a different office in 2022. We anticipate this number to grow in the coming weeks as more members decide to retire or seek a different office before filing deadlines.

Minnesota House
Under the new maps, there are 20 House seats where incumbent representatives are paired together. Three of these pairings include representatives who are retiring or seeking higher office: Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake), Rep. Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg) and Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley). There are 17 seats where we may see match-ups of two incumbent House members vying for the same seat. The new maps have 20 newly formed districts with no incumbent.

Here are a few notable instances where incumbent House members will now be paired in the same district:

  • Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) and Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton)
  • Rep. Spencer Igo (R-Grand Rapids) and Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL-Hibbing)
  • Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) and Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis)

Minnesota Senate
There are 10 Senate seats where incumbent senators are paired together under the new maps. Three of these pairings include members who are retiring: Sen. Bill Ingrebrigtsen (R-Alexandria), Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) and Sen. Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids). That leaves seven seats where there may be match ups between current senators.  

Here are some of the notable pairings to watch:

  • Sen. Melisa Lopez Franzen (DFL-Edina) and Sen. Ron Latz (DFL- St. Louis Park)
  • Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville) and Sen. Jason Isaacson (DFL-Shoreview)
  • Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) and Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton)
  • Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) and Sen. Gene Dornink (R-Hayfield) 

We will share a more in-depth analysis of redistricting during CGMC’s Legislative Action Day on March 2. Visit bit.ly/CGMC_LAD22 to register.