GOP: Peña party switch alters redistricting equation

[douglas9]

McALLEN, Dec. 15 - Buoyed by state Rep. Aaron Peña’s decision to join their ranks, Republicans are working on plans to create two GOP-friendly Texas House seats in Hidalgo County through the redistricting process.

“Certainly, right now, we can draw one Republican district in Hidalgo County if we do it right,” said Hollis Rutledge, a former chair of the Hidalgo County Republican Party. “There’s no question about it, we will have one Republican district in Hidalgo County after redistricting.”

The big question now, Rutledge said, is whether there enough Republican voters in McAllen and Edinburg to create two GOP-friendly seats. “We seriously have to look at this. There might be,” he said.

Rutledge said he would be “strongly recommending” that Hidalgo County Republican Party hire a redistricting expert to draw the best GOP map possible, just like they did in 2001.

http://www.riograndeguardian.com/RGGnews_story.asp?story_no=26

[sonias]

1. This is really what they wanted - divide and conquer

And thanks to Pena, it's become much easier. He's the Trojan horse - look he's one of your own. He won't hurt you. :(