Even just sticking to the surface, the politics of remapping gets very interesting very quickly.
Do the Republicans drawing the maps really want to risk writing off Charlotte?
Could happen if you shift 9th CD (Myrick) GOP voters in Gaston County further west — particularly if Myrick opts not to run again (I know, we are not supposed to bring that subject up. Sorry.) Shifting the 12th (Watt) further into East Charlotte is a no brainer, so that gives you one guaranteed Democratic seat in Meck. And if the 8th (Kissell) is then completely removed from Meck, Charlotte is down to two reps — again, something that you want?
Republicans might say yes as it gives them a better shot at winning the 8th — which is essentially the same rational for points west. Stuff most of the Meck Dems in the 9th and 12th and maybe that puts the 11th all the way in Asheville in the GOP column, along with the 10th.
Big picture then — say Myrick is going to retire, then you are not jobbing an incumbent out of a safe seat with this approach and you essentially trade the certainty of the 9th for shots at the 8th and the 11th, while holding the 10th. Good deal? I have no idea.
Then again, if — IF — state Sen. Bob Rucho (R) — who lives in the 9th — thinks he might want to run for that seat should Myrick leave, and with Rucho heading up the map-drawing for the GOP…
See? It gets very complicated.
