New 16th District

by: Jeff Doshna

Sun Apr 03, 2011 at 02:38:56 PM EDT

To put it simply -- I think this is a far better map for the Dems than is being portrayed.

The lead story is that Princeton has been taken out of the 15th -- taken away from Trenton -- and progressive Assemblyman Reed Gusciora has no chance to win in conservative Somerset county.

But folks need to take a look at the rest of the district.  

First of all, Bedminster, Bridgewater and Bernards (and environs) are no longer in the district.  Neither is Assemblywoman Coyle for that matter.  This takes away some of the most conservative part of the district.

Second of all -- and here's where I think there's gains to be had -- Flemington Borough, as well as Raritan and Readington townships in Hunterdon County are now in the 16th.

So the new district includes much of the Democratic core of Hunterdon County, along with Princeton, Somerville and Manville -- town centers that have voted Democratic.

Most importantly, the district is far more diverse. About 70% white, over 16% Asian and 8 percent non-white hispanic.

I'm not saying it's a lock district for Democrats, but Bateman and Biondi have a greater chance of losing to good Democrats than ever before.  Reed Gusciora has announced his intensions to run and I hope doesn't try to move back into the 15th, and stays here to run with Marie Corfield.