Mendota Heights Legislators Respond to New Maps

Mendota Heights legislators spent much of Tuesday afternoon poring over new redistricting maps released by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Sen. Jim Metzen (D-South St. Paul) said he was looking at “little dinky maps” Tuesday, but said the changes are mostly around the margins.

“I believe it’s almost identical, until I get some street maps. I’ve got all of Inver Grove, half of South St. Paul, all of West St. Paul, all of Mendota Heights, and one precinct of Eagan.”

More detailed maps were released later on Tuesday. 

“I’ve been looking at the statewide as well as the metro maps. It appears to be fair,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (D-South St. Paul).

His residence falls in the district that includes West St. Paul, most of Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale, and now, a larger chunk of South St. Paul.

Mendota Heights south of Highway 110 and the top portion of Eagan, which are currently a part of the district Hansen represents, will join Inver Grove Heights and Sunfish Lake as the other half of the Senate district. Inver Grove Heights is represented in the House by Rep. Joe Atkins (D-Inver Grove Heights).

Hansen said there are a number of high-density residential buildings in South St. Paul as well as single-family homes that make up in population for the loss of geographic area.

Congressional lines have been redrawn as well, capturing all of Dakota County into District 2 with southeastern metro counties represented by John Kline (R-Lakeville). Northern Dakota County was formerly part of the Fourth Congressional District that includes St. Paul and is represented by Betty McCollum (D-St. Paul).

“I think this is the first time in a while that the Fourth District does not come in to Dakota County somewhat," said Hansen. "It does kind of create a suburban-exurban district.”

Mendota Heights legislators dodged musical-chair scenarios facing other elected officials affected by the redistricting, such as Rep. Kate Knuth (D-New Brighton) and Tom Tillberry (D-Fridley), who now both reside in the same House district. 

In contrast, the biggest change for Metzen, he said, is that his district’s number will change from 39 to 52. “I’ll have to adjust all my campaign signs,” he quipped.