How Redistricting Affects Lake Minnetonka Communities

Redistricting maps released Monday afternoon split Lake Minnetonka into two State House Districts but leave the lake's State Senate and U.S. Congressional assignments the same.

Northern Lake Minnetonka municipalities, from Wayzata west to the northern half of Jennings Bay, are now part of State House District 33A. Southern Lake Minnetonka communities, from Deephaven west to Tonka Bay, remain in District 33B.

Rep. Connie Doepke currently represents House District 33B, while Rep. Steve Smith presently represents District 33A. Both are republicans up for re-election in November.

All Lake Minnetonka residents will continue to reside in State Senate District 33, a seat occupied by State Senator Gen Olson. Olson has said she does not plan to seek re-election to her 10^th term, leaving the seat up for grabs this fall.

Lake Minnetonka’s U.S. Congressional District designation remains unchanged and will continue to fall under the representation of Congressman Erik Paulsen.

Districts are re-drawn following each census based on current population. The Minnesota Supreme Court redrew the boundaries after Gov. Dayton and the State Legisltature were unable to reach a compromise on the new districts.

Below is the breakdown of how the state’s new State House Districts change Lake Minnetonka's State House map.

House District 33A

• Long Lake
• Minnetrista
• Navarre
• Wayzata 

House District 33B

• Deephaven
• Excelsior
• Greenwood
• Minnetonka Beach
• Mound
• Spring Park
• Tonka Bay

Here’s how redistricting has affected legislative boundaries and the political landscape across other Patch communities in Minnesota:  

• Apple Valley: The new legislative map has House districts splitting Apple Valley north-south rather than the current east-west.
• Eagan: The new legislative boundary extends all the way to the edge of Scott County, bringing a much larger portion of Burnsville together with Eagan.
• Edina: Previously solely in Minnesota's Third Congressional District, Edina now also extends into the Fifth Congressional District.
• Fridley: New boundaries place state Reps. Tom Tillberry and Kate Knuth in the same House district. 
• Golden Valley: The numbers change, but the boundaries mostly remain unchanged.
• Hopkins: New lines mean welcoming Medicine Lake and a portion of Plymouth. 
• Inver Grove Heights: State Senate District will change numbers, but little else.
• Lakeville: The city has been fractured into three different house and senate districts.
• Maple Grove: The city will change jersey numbers—from District 32 to 34—and say goodbye to nearby Corcoran and Greenfield.
• Mendota Heights: Once part of the Fourth Congressional District dominated by St. Paul, Mendota now joins the rest of Dakota County in District 2.
• Minnetonka: City splits into three with new districts.
• Northfield: Sen. Al DeKruif and Rep. Kelby Woodard, both Republicans, will represent different districts.
• Oakdale: This city will be broken up into two House and Senate districts.
• Plymouth: The city swapped District 33 for 46, and gained some new legislators.
• Richfield: New lines could squeeze out Richfield legislator.
• Rosemount: The line marking the western edge of Rosemount’s District 57B now includes the entire north end of neighboring Apple Valley.
• Roseville: The city welcomes a new Senate seat.
• Shakopee: New boundaries split Shakopee from Prior Lake.
• Southwest Minneapolis: Two DFL House members could face off in November.
• St. Louis Park: Legislator will add parts of Plymouth and Medicine Lake to his constituency.
• St. Michael: Hanover, St. Michael, Albertville and Otsego will create the new House District 30A—and a seat for a new representative.
• Stillwater: This city is now part of the new fourth Congressional District, which extends east from St. Paul.
• Woodbury: This city will be encompassed by Senate District 53, with its corresponding House districts split mostly at Radio Drive.

Patch will have updates to the redistricting story, including reaction from local legislators, as they become available.