Legislative Redistricting Alters Lawmakers' Future

Residents of Eureka and Wildwood mostly will miss out on the confusion affecting other parts of St. Louis County as a result of redrawn Missouri House and Senate districts, although the area’s northern boundary will change somewhat. But the personal lives of legislators interested in serving this area will be impacted.

The current 26th state senatorial district, which includes most of the southwestern part of St. Louis County, will be redrawn as part as the new 27th district. That district will stretch from part of Chesterfield through and to Dittmer and into Arnold near the Highway 141 corridor in northern Jefferson County. 

The current 84th and 89th House districts will form part of the new 110th district. Boundaries for the new district will be set further south, along a line roughly from Missouri Route 100 to the southern edge of [see map that accompanies this article].

State Rep. (R-Eureka) would be eligible for a final House term in 2012. Most of the new 110th District would come from Jones’ current 89th District.

District 7 State Sen. (R-Chesterfield) plans to run for re-election in 2012 in the newly drawn 27th District. Although she said she is prepared to deal with changes, she anticipates there may be a lawsuit contesting the entire, new state redistricting map.

Cunningham keenly expected such boundary alterations, and has at least once annually for the past two years. As reported in Eureka-Wildwood Patch, earlier this year she even as a liaison, Dennis Broadbooks.

"These line changes weren't surprising," said Cunningham. "Although it's clear they drew a circle around my house, which would force me to move, given that it's three blocks from the boundary."

Cunningham said she, however, is eager to continue serving the constituents she is presently serving, and so is open to moving her residence, if it comes to that being necessary. She said she would have two years in which to deal with that issue, citing laws that require a victorious lawmaker to move into a district within one year of winning.

"It seems unnecessary to have to move residences, given how close I was, but I'm not the only one in this pickle," she said. "And my kids are grown, so my husband and I are pretty mobile."

Cunningham said she was hoping to get Wildwood anyway, and is excited about the possibility of serving part of as well. She said she looks forward to working with , whose hometown is , through any changes. "Tim and I have worked together for many years on lots of major projects. He's a wonderful legislator, and very organized, so I'm sure we would do well together in this area."

Historically, she said many Wildwood-based constituents from 26th district contacted her, simply due to her proximity of their residences.

Evaluating changes in district boundaries is required once every 10 years, following the U.S. Census. The most dramatic change in the year’s redistricting process was the elimination of the Second Congressional District, whose seat is currently held by Rep. .