This should make redistricting the congressional districts somewhat easier.
US Representative John Olver, an Amherst Democrat, will retire at the end of his current term, ending a political career that dates back more than 40 years, his Washington office confirmed today.
Olver, 75, is in his 11th term representing the far-flung First Congressional District, which covers some 40 percent of the state, from the western border to northern Worcester County.
Olver has served his district honorably and well for a long time. Our heartfelt thanks to him for his service.
Please share widely!
williamstowndem says
I constantly get emails and phone calls asking me to email or call my congressman about one issue or another. But I never had to: I knew John Olver would vote as I would vote every time. I’ve known John since he won a special election 20 years ago, and while he isn’t from the Berkshires, you’d never know it. He always seems to be here. I wish him and Rose the very best. They’ve earned it. LH
Christopher says
It extends all the way to northern MIDDLESEX County! Pepperell, in the outer ring of Greater Lowell, is part of his district.
Andrea Nuciforo is already a candidate for that seat.
nopolitician says
And so Western MA’s battle for 2 districts appears to be lost.
Question is, which towns in Western MA get shunted to the Central MA district? Amherst? Northampton? The 4 Western MA counties are 95,000 people too many for a single district.
mski011 says
I think he made this announcement because he was confident that McGovern could end up with most of Olver’s district (I hope). McGovern seems cool with and he has nothing to gain from have a district composed of Worcester county alone.
answer-guy says
…except with Worcester replacing the easternmost towns, if they’re smart about it.
There are three ways to approach it.
1. Draw a clean line. Big risk of an suburban R winning the resulting CentMass district so that’s probably not how it goes down.
2. Mostly consolidate the West in one district, with the Worcester-based seat grabbing 100-150K population from northern parts of the west.
3. What I outlined above, with Worcester at/near the SW corner of a new 1st district. If you’re really concerned about CentMass turning red, this is probably what you do.
marcus-graly says
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/27/1030536/-MA-Redistricting:-Rosenburgs-Revenge!
This is the Worcester to the first scenario, plus a new district on the South Coast that rumor mill seems to be churning up. I highly doubt Western Mass just gets one district. Stan Rosenburg won’t allow it.
Mark L. Bail says
politics not to close any doors until you’re ready to leave, but…
Two years ago, Rose (I happen to know) didn’t want John to run again. I’m sure there were political considerations, but I don’t discount the fact that Rose has ovarian cancer as the reason he’s leaving.