Evan Smith: More on a new Congressional seat for Washington

By Evan Smith

ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

I wrote last week that Washington’s getting a tenth Congressional seat probably would have little local effect.

Shoreline voters will feel little change because they are likely to stay in the 1st Congressional District, but census figures indicate that the District will change.

The District is likely to gain territory in Snohomish County.

That’s because the 2nd Congressional District, which stretches from Everett to the Canadian border, is the State’s third most overpopulated district and is likely to lose part of central Snohomish County to the 1st District.

With the 1st District picking up more territory in Snohomish County it would have to lose territory in King County and perhaps some in Kitsap County. Look for the district to lose the area north and northeast of Lake Washington to the 8th District.

The nonpartisan redistricting commission could move the whole Kitsap part of the 1st District into the 6th District, but if it follows its reputation for protecting incumbents of both parties, it would leave Congressman Jay Inslee’s Bainbridge home in the 1st District.

The 7th District, which includes part of Lake Forest Park, will have to change less than any other Washington Congressional district because it has grown less than any of the others.

Parts of Lake Forest Park could stay in the 1st and 7th districts, or they could be swallowed by the 8th District, which is likely to lose its southern section to the new 10th District.