In 2010, All Politics Is Local

While 2008 was a transformative election about hope and change for America, this election cycle is just as important, if not more important. 2010 centers on a boring, technical process that in many states will determine the political map over the next 10 years. Beyond that, it will drive policy for the next decade as well. That process is called redistricting.

After the completion of the 2010 Census this fall, states will begin the redistricting process. That means the victors of the 2010 election will be responsible for redrawing districts.

The political importance of this process is evident through the large contributions from donors on both sides of the aisle to governors groups. Even in tough economic times, governors groups are breaking record fundraising numbers. An article in the WSJ notes that the Republican Governors Association raised $28 million and the Democratic Governors Association raised $17 million in the first half of 2010.

Donors realize that they are making a long term investment in America's political structure by contributing to these races because in many states where state legislatures control the redistricting process, governors get the final sign off.
The 2010 elections are nowhere near as sexy as the 2008 election. But, their long-term influence on the political structure of our country will be greater than the 2008 election that captivated a nation.