Redistricting could reshape House Agriculture Committee

"At least six members of the House Agriculture Committee face tough reelections under new Ccongressional maps approved by 26 states, while four have plans to leave the House and several more depend on maps that have not yet been approved," Noah Wicks reports for Agri-Pulse. "Under the newly drawn districts, two Illinois Republicans — Mary Miller and Rodney Davis — will battle for control of a seat; Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger must navigate her way through a largely unfamiliar district; and Arizona Democrat Tom O'Halleran will need to win the votes of a Republican-leaning constituency. Iowa Democrat Cindy Axne and Nebraska Republican Don Bacon will continue to sit in highly competitive swing districts."

Congressional districts are redrawn after each census to equalize their population. A few states create new maps through independent commissions, but most leave it to state legislatures. "Republicans are counting on redistricting to help them wrest control of the House, which would put [Pennsylvania Rep. Glenn] Thompson in line to become the committee's chairman," Wicks reports. "Democrats currently control the House 221-212, with two vacancies." Agri-Pulse takes a deep dive into how redistricting is playing out for each Agriculture Committee member. Read more here.