Ariz. redistricting panel OKs contentious new map

Republicans are balking over a new congressional map approved Tuesday by Arizona's independent redistricting commission, but the map could spare Arizona Reps. David Schweikert (R) and Ben Quayle (R) from a primary showdown.

Minor changes to the initial map smoothed over specific grievances lodged by Republicans opposed to the map, but the new plan maintains a political balance that favors Democrats and led to a brutal and unpredictable inter-party battle in November. The new map, which has been tentatively approved but still needs a Justice Department sign-off, creates four likely Republican districts, two likely Democratic districts and three toss-ups.

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who is facing a rematch with the Democrat he ousted in 2010, will see his district become more difficult for him to hold.

The map approved Tuesday reflected slight modifications made to an initial map drafted by the state's five-member bipartisan commission that incited a firestorm in Arizona that pitted the governor against the courts.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) was so miffed by the Democratic-friendly map that she removed the panel's independent chairwoman; in November, the state Senate approved her removal. But the state Supreme Court threw out that decision, and Brewer couldn't get the court to reconsider. Republicans briefly considered asking voters to pass a referendum to gut the redistricting panel, which voters approved, but eventually tossed in the towel.

The initial map created a new, competitive Phoenix-area district and drew Quayle into it, raising the prospects that Quayle would depart the district and run in the more Republican 6th district, where Schweikert said he would also be running. But the modified map draws Schweikert into a district that should be more comfortable for him, the Arizona Republic reported, so Quayle might get the 6th district to himself.

Republicans also expressed their distaste for a Tucson-area division that separated the sprawling northern suburbs from the city's urban center.

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