This gives one district for a liberal Democrat and preserves a second one for Matheson. Both the GOP districts went over 70% for McCain. I actually managed to pack the 3rd over 80% McCain, just to see how high I could get it, but it was a little uglier, so I opted for this. Its not like we were winning the 1st anyway. Plus, this will keep Saratoga Springs mayor Mia Love out of Congress. She is one of only two African-Americans living in Utah not currently playing for the Jazz. (Even they are scarce now, with Boozer and D-Will skipping town. Have you seen Gordon Heyward recently?) The GOP is clearly desperate for a new token black Republican, after Herman Cain and Michael Steele didn't pan out, and I find it hilarious how much trouble they have doing so, so I'd love to prolong it even further. Anyway, map and analysis after the jump:
Full State:
Salt Lake County close-up:
UT-1 (blue): Rob Bishop (R-Brigham City)
71.4-25.3 McCain (Current: 63.7-33.3 McCain)
Safe R
UT-2 (green): Jim Matheson (D-Salt Lake City)
I actually thought Matheson's district would have to take a slight hit to make the 4th Dem-leaning, but it actually becomes a couple tenths of a percent more Democratic. It drops a bunch of dark red counties, including Washington, Garfield, and its portion of Utah County, the only counties in his current district that he has never won. Additionally, it sheds Iron, Plute, Kane, and Duchesne Counties, which he only won in his 2008 blowout. Each of those 7 counties gave Obama less than 30% of the vote. It adds liberal Summit County, home to several great ski resorts, as well as Weber County, which is somewhat of an electoral bellwether for the whole state, so it should help Matheson if he ever seeks statewide office in the future. It also adds Morgan County to connect Weber to the rest of the district. Dropping all the dark red territory makes up for its loss of some liberal parts of Salt Lake County.
57.5-40.0 McCain (Current: 57.7-39.6 McCain)
Likely D
UT-3 (purple): Jason Chaffetz (R-Alpine)
All I can say is I'm glad he won't be in the Senate. Get this, he wants to put illegal immigrants in detention camps. And most offensively, he lost to Stephen Colbert in leg wrestling 3 times in a row and then had the gall to ask for a rematch:
77.3-19.3 McCain (Current: 67.3-29.3 McCain)
Safe D for Bob Massie, Safe R otherwise
UT-4 (red): Open
Although he clearly has a great shot at being elected President in 2012 with his 3rd-party bid, maybe we can convince former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson to run here as a Democrat instead. Matheson's 2010 primary challenger Claudia Wright could be another possibility. Preferably, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, the 2010 gubernatorial nominee, would run for Team Blue. Although his run for governor was a dud, he was re-elected countywide in 2008 with over 60% of the vote, and only narrowly lost the county in his 2010 gubernatorial run. Considering this district is a couple points to the left of the county as a whole, I think he could hold this down with ease.
52.3-44.9 Obama
Likely D for Corroon, Lean D for Generic D
