There is a whole lot of discussion going on about the redistricting maps out there, and things are moving so fast, it's nearly impossible to keep up.  We thought it helpful, however, to lay out the facts as they stand today.

There is plenty being written about the various proposals and their effects statewide.  This write-up is focused on the proposals as they affect Dallas County.

For starters, here is the current map of State House Districts for Dallas County (click image to zoom):

(All maps in this write-up generated at http://gis1.tlc.state.tx.us/ )

Under the current map, there are 16 State House districts.  Prior to the 2010 election, 10 of the 16 districts in Dallas County were represented by Democrats and 6 districts were represented by Republicans.  In the wake of the 2010 election, 10 of the 16 districts are represented by Republicans and 6 of the districts are represented by Democrats.  At least five of the districts can readily be described as "swing districts."  These five "swing districts" are the following:

HD 101 (Mesquite--presently represented by Cindy Burkett, swung in 2010)

HD 102 (North Dallas--presently represented by Stefani Carter, swung in 2010)

HD 105 (Irving--presently represented by Linda Harper-Brown, nearly swung in 2008)

HD 106 (Grand Prairie--presently represented by Rodney Anderson, swung in 2010)

HD 107 (Lakewood/Lake Highlands--presently represented by Kenneth Sheets, swung in 2010)

2000-2010 DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS

Between 2000 and 2010, Dallas County saw a net gain in population overall, but it saw a proportional loss as compared to the rest of Texas.  As a result of this proportional loss, Dallas County is losing two House District seats, for a net of 14 seats after redistricting.  Further, much of the population gain in Dallas County has taken place in the southern, Democrat-leaning portions of the County.  Thus, however the districts are drawn, the overall makeup of Dallas County is going to be more favorable to Democrats than it was previously.

It is within this context that the proposed districts have been drawn.

THE SOLOMONS MAP

The House Leadership is promoting a map--generally referred to as 'The Solomons Map'--that makes a number of substantial changes in Dallas County.  Most notably, the Solomons Map:

Rolls much of current House District 101 (Mesquite, represented by freshman Republican Cindy Burkett) into District 107 (represented by freshman Kenneth Sheets) and District 113 (represented by Joe Driver).

Rolls much of current House District 106 (Grand Prairie, represented by freshman Republican Rodney Anderson) into House District 105 (represented by Linda-Harper Brown).

Here is the Dallas County portion of the Solomons Map (click image to zoom):

Statewide, the Solomons Map is drawing much derision for the manner in which certain favored representatives and candidates are benefitted and certain representatives are punished.  It appears that the criticisms of the rural portions of the Solomons Map are well-deserved.  The Dallas County portion of the Solomons Map, however, seems to be drawn in a fairly reasonable manner.

THE NIXON MAP:

A group of conservative legislators are backing an alternate map drawn up by former State Representative Joe Nixon and generally referred to as 'The Nixon Map.'  There appears to be significant consensus that the Nixon Map corrects a great deal of the rural ridiculousness of the Solomons Map.

Within Dallas County, the Nixon Map proposes a number of changes, most notably:

Current House District 107 (represented by freshman Republican Kenneth Sheets, Lakewood/Lake Highlands) is broken up into multiple pieces, which are appended to House Districts 100, 102, 108, 113 and 114.  The largest piece is appended to House District 102 (represented by freshman Stefani Carter, North Dallas)

Current House District 106 (represented by freshman Republican Rodney Anderson, Grand Prairie) is carved into multiple pieces, which are appended onto House Districts 103, 104, 105, 109 and 111.

The full map of the Dallas County portion of the Nixon Map is here (click image to zoom):

As noted, the rural portions of the Nixon Map are considered by many to be preferable to the Solomons Map. The Dallas County portion of the Nixon Map, however, is problematic:  Of course, the demographics of Dallas County likely make it nearly inevitable that two pairs of Republicans will be paired up.  Thus, it becomes a question, as it often does, of "whose ox is gored."

Under the Solomons Map, the oxen of Straus supporters Linda Harper-Brown (105) and Joe Driver (113) are gored a bit--though both retain their districts, in modified form.  Freshmen Cindy Burkett (101) and Rodney Anderson (106) see the bulk of their districts absorbed into districts 113 and 105, respectively--thus placing each in a fairly competitive position against Driver and Harper-Brown, respectively.

Under the Nixon Map, the ox of conservative freshman Kenneth Sheets is gored quite a bit, though Sheets retains the option of challenging fellow freshman Stefani Carter to represent District 102.  The ox of conservative freshman Rodney Anderson is thoroughly gored--then shot and buried upside down in a shallow grave (metaphorically speaking).

Statewide, more than a few conservatives are lining up behind the Nixon Map, while certain activists are advocating for a hybrid map combining the urban portions of the Solomons Map with the rural portions of the Nixon Map.  The proponents of the hybrid map argue that it is counterproductive for reformers to hamstring two newly-elected conservatives (Sheets and Anderson) who stood with the conservatives in the Republican Caucus in order to protect the seats of two longtime incumbents (Driver and Harper-Brown) who stood against the conservatives in January.

Your thoughts?  Please weigh in below.