Bellevue, Mercer Island Shift to 9th Congressional District In Bipartisan Proposal

Bellevue would have new representation in Congress under a bipartisan proposal introduced today by the The Washington State Redistricting Commission.

Bellevue, which has been represented by since 2005, would be in the 9th Congressional district, currently represented by Congressman Adam Smith, a Democrat from Tacoma. .

The proposed 9th Congressional district includes Mercer Island, parts of Seattle, and goes down to Renton, SeaTac and Federal Way and includes the Port of Tacoma.

According to the demographic information on the Washington State Redistricting Commission website, the proposed 9th would be the most racially diverse in the state, with slightly more than half of residents being nonwhite.

Reichert, whose offices are on 78th Avenue Southeast on Mercer Island, said he has been honored to serve the communities in the 8th and looks forward to the opportunity represent the new communities in the newly drawn district:

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the constituents of the 8th Congressional district over the last seven years. Even before my time in Congress – as a member of the Air Force and as King County Sheriff – I have strived every day to perform my job with honor and integrity and with the heart of a servant. While some of the communities I am representing may change, my commitment and dedication to being a public servant will not. I am excited to have an opportunity to represent new communities in central and western Washington and continue to serve as a voice for Washingtonians."

Smith released this statement on his campaign website in response to the proposal released today:

“I appreciate all of the time and hard work the redistricting commission put into producing these new congressional district maps.

“I am very pleased the new 9th Congressional District includes my hometown of SeaTac and much of the south sound region which I have represented as a state senator and a congressman.  I’m excited to run in this very diverse district.

“In the coming weeks and months I look forward to the opportunity to meet with community leaders, local elected officials and new residents to listen and learn about the most important issues facing their communities. Regardless of how the congressional lines have changed, I will continue to work hard, promote policies that encourage job creation and economic growth and make sure the people of the 9th Congressional District are heard and well-represented in Congress.”

Politics reporter Brad Shannon of The Olympian has written a summary of the redistricting process, which shakes up much of Washington's political landscape.

Publicola reports that Suzan DelBene, who challenged Reichert in 2010, now lives in the proposed 1st Congressional district. DelBene .