This should make sense......

by: tabbycat31

Sun May 30, 2010 at 12:39:58 AM EDT

I knew Gooch didn't live in the District she's running in. Bateman lives in the 12th, too? Interesting ... - Promoted by Rosi

In New Jersey, apparently you do not need to live in a Congressional district in order to run for Congress to represent that district. Now that it is primary election season, I have been seeing a bunch of signs on the roads for challengers to incumbents (the only signs I've seen for incumbents have been in my lawn and a friend's lawn).

So in my neck of the woods I'm seeing a lot of signs for Anna Little (tea party Republican or as I like to call her Michele Bachmann 2.0) and Diane Gooch (Mrs. Hedge Fund). As I was driving down into the 4th district I saw signs for yet another tea party Republican Alan Bateman who wishes to challenge (according to his website) "RINO" (Republican In Name Only) Chris Smith.

One thing that both Diane Gooch (running in the 6th district) and Alan Bateman (running in the 4th district) have in common is that they both live in the 12th district. I've only lived in New Jersey a few years and I understand that the law is different elsewhere, but it makes sense to me that you should live in the district that you want to represent. To be fair Alan Bateman did run for Congress in his own district (unsuccessfully) but why not stick to the district you live in?

I do realize that New Jersey is very gerrymandered (especially Monmouth County), but wouldn't the best way to be in touch with a congressional district you wish to represent. Perhaps it's time to update our election laws and require a candidate to live in the district.

tabbycat31 :: This should make sense......

Tags: Diane Gooch, Alan Bateman, Chris Smith, Frank Pallone, congress, (All Tags)

Print Friendly View

Send As Email

This should make sense...... | 6 comments

Yes, but... (0.00 / 0)

This may make sense theoretically, but keep in mind that next year the congressional gerrymandering is up for grabs and Christie's Clones will have a large say in how the districts are mapped out. With New Jersey losing at least one seat from the 2010 census, that's bad enough, but I could see Christie gerrymandering a great congressman like Rob Andrews right out of his district.

Blog: http://www.deciminyan.org

by: deciminyan @ Sun May 30, 2010 at 14:15:22 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

not likely (4.00 / 1)

Legislative gerrymandering is far more partisan than congressional gerrymandering. Nobody in Trenton cares about Congressional districts.

If you look at the congressional gerrymandering that was done prior to the 2002 elections, bipartisan incumbency protection was the name of the game.

Ask Rush Holt and Mike Ferguson how their congressional districts went from being the most competitive in the state to being amongst the safest.

Also ask former Republican Marge Roukema how her district became too conservative for her to be able to survive a primary challenge from uber-wingnut, Scott Garrett.

In what universe does someone who runs against Frank Lautenberg in a Senatorial primary and has his wife run for his Congressional seat during the same primary election cycle so that they can pull a switcheroo for the general election get to be called a "great congressman"?

by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Sun May 30, 2010 at 21:11:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It would be unconstitutional (4.00 / 2)

States cannot impose additional requirements for Congress. The US Constitution only says you have to live in the state from which you are elected - and only at the time you are actually elected. So it's technically okay.

by: Thurman Hart @ Sun May 30, 2010 at 21:49:44 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

right (0.00 / 0)

and I see that's been upheld in a number of court cases. Promising for the Senate recall case.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Mon May 31, 2010 at 03:22:30 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Remember Molinari & Paxon? (0.00 / 0)

Back in the '90s, I think it was, Bill Paxon and Susan Molinari were a married couple and at the same time represented two Congressional districts in New York. I always wondered if they had to maintain two residences. I guess not.

by: Bill W @ Mon May 31, 2010 at 11:32:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]