U.S. Rep. Mel Watt said he's leaning toward running for reelection, but has yet to make a final decision. The Charlotte Democrat said he expects to decide this weekend.
"If I’m not going to do it, I would want to give people who may be interested time to organize themselves," he said. "If I am going to do it, I would want to put that out pretty quickly."
Watt, who has represented District 12 since 1992, wants to continue studying the redistricting maps. It's not a question of whether he'll win or lose. He said the make up of the redrawn district, which is 64 percent Democrat, is likely more favorable to him than his current district.
But with the Census coming out only every 10 years, Watt said the redistricting process is a good transition point. Members must weigh whether they're prepared to represent these new constitutents for the long term or if it's better to allow someone with more long terms plans to step in.
"Is it fairer to let someone who is planning to stay 10 more years develop those new relationships rather than you,” he said.
Comments
Watt's District
February 8, 2012 - 10:55pm — ProudlyUnaffiliatedYes, but we can thank Brad Miller for the thoroughly bogus design of Watt's district. I recall when it went all the way from Charlotte to Durham, all to pick up more blacks. Watt is just the guy who happened to be the most popular minority Dem that won the primary. I think he wants to go becuase the Repubs have stripped out the fun for him, not much he can do and he thinks it may get worse. And who knows, maybe if Obama wins, he can give him a cushy job to do even less with less effort. Not to worry, another piece of trash will replace him.
Synonymous with Gerrymandering
February 8, 2012 - 4:18pm — AgentPierceLook up Gerrymander in the dictionary and there is a picture of Mel Watt. The #1 poster boy for why there was re-districting.
Whoever tries to replace Watt will be dealing with a very different circumstance which is likely why Watt is afraid to try again.