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Murphy Joins GOP Calls for Re-Redistricted Raja Seat

Forging party unity and mending old wounds seems to be a growing theme in the aftermath of the April primaries, as Rep. Tim Murphy called on the state Legislative Reapportionment Commission to reconsider alterations to the 37th and 40th districts.

Murphy himself once held the 37th state district seat before becoming a U.S. Congressman in 2003.This request comes on the heels of Murphy-endorsed candidate Mark Mustio’s primary defeat against D. Raja, although Murphy did throw some compliments Raja’s waya few days before the primary.Raja won the three-way race and now faces Democratic write-in candidate Greg Parks (who also lives outside the proposed new district).Murphy asked the LRC to consider the map, adopted April 12, because he believes it disenfranchises thousands of voters.

“To ensure the concerns of Allegheny and Washington County constituencies are fully represented in the state legislature, districts should include municipalities with common interest that are growing in a unique way, and have for years had representation based upon the values that tie those areas together,” Murphy said in a letter to the LRC.

Murphy added that the map overlooks the “reality” of Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale development, and that it favors preserving well-established urban districts that are losing population (he named districts 38, 42, 43 and 45), while sacrificing growing or suburban districts – Raja’s in particular.

The new map would take effect in 2014; a number of people – lawmakers and concerned citizens alike, have come out against it as having a partisan bias or unfairly splitting municipalities.

Raja had a number of allies at the hearing last week, including Sen. Joe Scarnati, Rep. John Maher, Allegheny GOP Chair Jim Roddey and more.

5 Responses

  1. I liked the original redistriced map. Kept the 40th and the 37th pretty much intact and moved the 45th to the Poconos. If they return to the first map Raja still would not live in the new 37th because Mt. Lebanon where he lives was still being moved to the 42nd District. But he knew going into the race that there was the possibility he would have to move and he still ran. That’s his problem. Put up the “For Sale” sign Raja.

  2. @No, I’m Stunned – I think that you need to speak much, much slower for Stunned. We wouldn’t want to “twart” his/her ability to comprehend … 😉

  3. Stunned, Does your boss at PA Right to Work not keep you busy enough or do they assign you a certain quota of anonymous attacks? Murphy is helping Raja. Let’s go slow so you can follow. Raja won a seat that is Republican based seat. That Republican seat will go away after this term under the proposed map. Rep Murphy writes to urge the commission to keep the Sen Raja seat a Republican South Hills seat. Ergo, Sen Raja stays in his seat. Stick to the union boogeyman politics and let the adults take care of the grown up stuff, ok? Better yet, get your facts straight before spouting off.

  4. Shame on you, Tim Murphy, for your attempt to twart the will of Republican voters who freely chose D.Raja as the man they want to represent them in the State Senate upon the retirement of John Pippy. The state senate seat does NOT belong to you; your hand-picked candidate lost the election. Now, you are so brazen that you openly call on the Reapportionment Commission to “redraw lines” to substitute what YOU want for the man the voters selected? Sir, that is not only reprehensible, it’s unAmerican!

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