The Pennsylvania Senate map eliminates Senate District 34, which covers Centre County, and splits the district into two odd-numbered districts, 25 and 35. The map was approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission in February, though there are still legal challenges pending.
Dave's Redistricting
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Though there are pending legal challenges, the new maps would mean big changes for Centre County. Below is a look at where the maps and their impact stand.
Pennsylvania Senate Map
Under the 2022 Pennsylvania Senate map, Senate District 34, which includes all of Centre County and parts of Huntingdon, Mifflin and Juniata counties, would be eliminated. It would be split it into two odd-numbered districts, 25 and 35.
The proposed map lumps most of Centre County into Senate District 25. Of registered voters in this new district, a majority would be registered Republicans, according to Spotlight PA.
Senate District 25 is currently represented by Sen. Cris Dush, R-Jefferson, and Senate District 35 is represented by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Richland Township, both of whom are not up for election until 2024.
The Pennsylvania Senate map eliminates Senate District 34, which covers Centre County, and splits the district into two odd-numbered districts, 25 and 35. The map was approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission in February, though there are still legal challenges pending. Dave's Redistricting Screenshot
Pennsylvania House District map
The 2022 Pennsylvania House District map has Centre County split into three districts: 77 (currently represented by Democrat Scott Conklin), 171 (currently represented by Republican Kerry Benninghoff) and a new district, 82.
Democrat Paul Takac, a College Township Council member, previously announced he was running for the 171st district. But with the creation of the new district, his website states he is now running to represent House District 82.
“The district that I am running to represent is HD-82 — a new and open seat with a 53% Dem lean. This seat is evenly split amongst parties, locations, and rural and urban communities,” his website states.
“I made up my mind well over a year ago to run against GOP leadership so our communities could have true representation and support. Leadership should never run unopposed and should have to answer to the work they have, and have not, done for the people,” Zeigler wrote in a press release.
Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-McElhattan, will no longer represent Centre County if she remains at her current residence in McElhattan in Clinton County. The same would be true for Rep. Rich Irvin, R-Spruce Creek, who lives in Spruce Creek Township in Huntingdon County. They currently represent House Districts 76 and 81, respectively.
The Pennsylvania House map has Centre County split into three districts: 77, currently represented by Scott Conklin, 171, currently represented by Benninghoff, and a new district, 82. The map was approved by the Legislative Reapportionment Commission in February, though there are still legal challenges pending. Dave's Redistricting Screenshot
Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, challenges to either map can be brought directly to the state Supreme Court by March 7. As of March 2, four separate parties had done so. One of those is Benninghoff, who was also the only member of the LRC to vote against the maps.
He said the maps are gerrymandered to benefit Democrats and create districts that don’t comply with the Voting Rights Act.
Just before the LRC was set to vote on the maps, Benninghoff released an amendment he made to the final House map. He said it meets legal standards better than the LRC map does, is closer to equal population in each district and has less municipality splits.
“The final map, in my opinion, lessens rural voices. The final map strengthens the role of political insiders in determining who legislators are, thereby lessening the voice of the people,” Benninghoff said during a Feb. 4 press conference.
Benninghoff’s amendment failed 2-3.
After March 7, the LRC can respond to the suits. After the briefs are filed, the court can choose if it wants to consider the challenges.
The May 17 primary date remains for congressional races and statewide contests.
