How about we look ahead to 2012?
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The new Census Bureau 2006
state population estimates are out and the numbers offer some
insight into the post-2010 Census reapportionment of congressional
seats. While it’s still too early to predict exactly which states
are gainers and losers, a few things are already clear.
According to an analysis by Polidata, a political data
consulting firm, seven states are all but certain to lose at least
one seat: Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio
and Pennsylvania. Another six states are all but certain to gain at
least one seat: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Texas and
Utah.
A few other interesting projections from Polidata: Texas could
pick up as many as 4 congressional seats; New York and Ohio could
lose 2 seats. California, for the first time since statehood, may
not pick up any seats.
Polidata’s Clark Bensen also observes that Florida (currently
with 25 seats) is now poised to replace New York (29 seats) as the
third most populous state - and that both states might end up with
27-member delegations when the dust settles after
reapportionment.
Taken together, those shifts would seem to favor a more Republican
House, at least at first blush.