A Divided City (Thanks to the 2020 Census)

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The redistricting that is occurring due to the 2020 census will result in the city of Whitewater’s residents being represented by two different people in the U.S. House as well as in the State Assembly. The city straddles a boundary between Jefferson and Walworth counties, and the dividing line for both the federal and state positions is that county line.

The Banner’s article on April 17 regarding the impact of redistricting indicated that the city’s congressional district will be changing in January, 2023 from District 5 (currently Representative Scott Fitzgerald – R) to District 1 (currently Representative Bryan Steil – R). It turns out that information was approximately 82% correct. Greg Grube, Redistricting Specialist at the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), confirmed to the Banner that only the Walworth County portion of the city will be transitioning to Congressional District 1. The Jefferson County portion will be remaining in Congressional District 5. Roughly 82% of Whitewater’s population resides in Walworth County.

Assembly Districts 31 & 33 are depicted, with a line bisecting Whitewater. Senate District 15 will be composed of Assembly Districts 31, 32 & 33. [Source: https://data-ltsb.opendata.arcgis.com/maps/sb621-legislative-districts/explore?location=42.685351%2C-88.869403%2C9.84]

The city will also be divided for representation in the State Assembly. Currently the entire city is in District 43, represented by Don Vruwink (D – Milton). The Walworth County portion of the city will shift to District 31, which is currently represented by Amy Loudenbeck (R – Clinton), who is running for Secretary of State. WEC indicated to the Banner that candidates are not required to file with the agency until they submit their nomination papers, which are due by June 1; however, some candidates file earlier. As of April 18, Ellen Schutt (Clinton) and Maryann Zimmerman (Whitewater) had filed as Republicans for the 31st. The Banner received a news release indicating that Jason Dean (LaGrange) will also be running as a Republican.

The Jefferson County portion of the city will be in Assembly District 33. Cody Horlacher (R – Mukwonago) currently represents that district; however, he does not live within the new boundaries of the district and is not running for re-election. Though no one has filed for this district yet with WEC, Don Vruwink lives in the district and told the Banner that he will be running to represent the 33rd.

The entire city will be part of State Senate District 11, which is currently represented by Steve Nass (R – Whitewater), who is running for re-election. Currently the city is in District 15.

The partisan primary will be held on August 9, and the general election on September 8.