Today, each of the 4 Washington Redisricting Commissioners unveiled their draft maps. They are available here.
From a Democratic perspective, Tim Ceis' plan creates the most Democratic districts (6) although the 10th CD (from Olympia to northern Pierce County cities of Fife and Puyallup) may be competitive. Dean Foster's plan will also likely lean to 6 Democrats in Congress, but I think his 10th CD (Olympia and counties along Pacific Coast) is more liable to elect an R.
The Republican plans should be considered non-starters. Tom Huff's plan creates 3 safe Democratic districts with 2 more competitive seats. This right Democrat may be able to win in his 3rd. Former Senator Slade Gordon's map produces 4 safe Democrats, and 1 competitive seat.
Each of the commissioners were appointed by each legislative caucus in Olympia - Ceis and Gordon from the Senate and Foster and Huff from the House.
Below the fold are some more details - from a Snohomish County perspective. Interestingly enough, most of the Commissioners have the 8th CD crossing the Cascades in the middle of the State, rather than the 3rd along the Columbia River.
Tom Huff's (R) map divides Snohomish County (and the rest of the northern portion of the state) between the 1st and 2nd CD. The 1st CD would be west along Puget Sound, while the 2nd would be east of the major population centers. North King County would be in the 7th CD. This map creates a minority-majority district in South King County. This map would extend two districts across the Cascades, including one district that extends from Bellevue to east of the Cascades.
Slade Gordon's (R) map would put South Snohomish County with West Seattle and Vashon Island in the 7th CD. Kenmore, Kirkland, and Redmond would be in the 2nd CD with Everett. This map creates a minority-majority district in South King County.
Dean Foster's (D) plan makes the 1st CD a King County/Snohomish County district. The 1st would go from 145th to the Southern border of Mukilteo, east to Duvall, and South to Clyde Hill and Medina and to Issaquah. Most of Bellevue would be in the 9th CD. This plan extents the 8th CD over the Cascades.
Tim Ceis' (D) plan would put Edmonds, Woodway, Lynnwood and Shoreline in the 7th CD. Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and Kirkland would be in the 1st CD that extends from Mercer Island and Issaquah in the South to Mill Creek in the North. This district may create a minority/majority district. The 8th CD would extend over the Cascades.
Additional Commentary:
Associated Press- "The are some extreme differences," said Dean Foster, former chief of staff for Gov. Booth Gardner and Democratic-appointee to the commission.
Spokesman Review - "Gorton denied this was an attempt to create GOP districts throughout the county. Instead, he insisted it was a way to make all the Spokane districts "competitive."
3:27 PM PT: Publicola now has images up of each of the CD maps. - http://publicola.com/...
9:43 PM PT: In the comments below, Dave of Dave's Redistricting App has uploaded Ceis' and Gordon's CD maps in a .drf file.
Ceis' 10th CD appears to be 53.7% Murray and the 2nd CD, while strengthened, is 51%+ Murray. His 9th CD is minority-majority.