Politics & Government

Proposed Redistricting Map Reshapes 37th State Senate District

Sue Means, a Republican running to replace state Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, said redistricting proposals could disenfranchise current district voters.

Sue , a Bethel Park conservative activist vying to replace state Sen. John Pippy, has cried foul at redistricting proposals that could cut much of the south hills out of the 37th senatorial district.

A proposed redrawing the 37th district would remove nearly half of registered voters who live in the district, including Bethel Park. 

“Clearly these boundaries have been gerrymandered for political purposes,” Means said in a statement.  “It is probably not coincidental that a member of the reapportionment committee, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, has endorsed [Rep. Mark] Mustio’s candidacy.”

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Means, Mustio and Mt. Lebanon business owner  are each seeking the  for Pippy's seat in the April 24 primary. No Democrat has entered the race. 

The redrawn map also excludes D. Raja's Mt. Lebanon. If finalized the redistricting will go into effect in 2014. 

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The proposed map covers much of northern Allegheny County and snakes to the west of the county, reaching Moon Township and surrounding western suburbs. Portions of Washington County now included in the district would be excluded under the proposal. 

“I think it’s still very early in the process,” said Mustio, who declined to respond directly to Means’ claims of gerrymandering. “I think those who are inside politics and really involved are the only ones concerned with this.”

Mustio, who is seeking both Pippy’s seat and re-election to his own in the state House’s 44th district, said he has received just one phone call from a concerned constituent on the proposed district redrawing. 

The preliminary state house and senate redistricting plan was approved earlier this month by the house reapportionment commission. A previous redistricting was struck down in January by the state Supreme Court. 

“Now is the time for public comment,” Mustio said. “This is a process we go through every ten years, but there is time for appeal and that time is now.” 

Click the media in this article to view the proposed district maps. Check back with Patch for more coverage of the upcoming primary. 


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