Pasch Weighs Political Options After Redistricting

In only her second term in the state Assembly, Democrat Sandy Pasch has been elected by her colleagues to the post of assistant Assembly Democratic leader.

Now, under the Republicans' redistricting plan, her political career may transform again, as she decides whether to stay in her newly Republican-heavy district or run in another district.

In a 10-minute video interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Pasch said she is "keeping her options open" until the legal challenges of the redistricting plan are resolved. The redistricting plan would eliminate Shorewood from her 22nd Assembly District.

Some have speculated that Pasch would run in the new 10th District, which includes Shorewood and Milwaukee. That seat is currently held by Milwaukee Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Coggs. Kristopher Rowe, the organizer of the effort to recall Alberta Darling, has  his intentions to run for that post.

"I know there are going to be other districts open in Milwaukee, so we're still working things out and seeing what's open and what's available," Pasch said in the video interview. "We all believe Milwaukee needs strong representation, Milwaukee needs diversity and Milwaukee needs voices — strong voices — in Madison."

Pasch said she is a co-author of a bill that would task a nonpartisan group with the redistricting process, which is currently run by political parties and breeding divisiveness, she said.

As assistant minority leader in the Assembly, Pasch's job is guide the mission and message of Assembly Democrats. She said the Republicans have not listened to Democrats on the mining bill or on a venture capital bill. When asked what Democrats should do if returned to power, Pasch told the Journal Sentinel that her party should repair that partisan breach.

"I think what needs to happen when Democrats regain control of the state is that we start working together, we start repairing the divisiveness that we currently have, that we start honoring workers and middle class families, that we have a blance of power between the different houses and the governor's," she said.