Court-ordered redistricting is factor in exits of two GOP state lawmakers

Two Republican state lawmakers in Washington are forgoing re-election while a third is moving across town so he can try to keep the legislative seat he’s held since 2007.

Their decisions have one thing in common – redistricting. More precisely, a federal judge’s March decision to approve new boundaries of several legislative districts to enhance the political voice of Latino voters in the Yakima Valley.

Sen. Brad Hawkins of Wenatchee and Rep. Gina Mosbrucker of Goldendale each cited it as a contributing factor in their opting against pursuing another term in the Legislature. Sen. Curtis King of Yakima relocated to run for re-election in the 14th Legislative District.

“I felt like what was being done here to us was not correct and the only way to respond in a positive way was to move and run as an incumbent in the 14th Legislative District which I am,” King said Wednesday.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/04/24/court-ordered-redistricting-is-factor-in-exits-of-two-gop-state-lawmakers/