Analysis

By DAN WHEAT

Capital Press

Agriculture in parts of Eastern Washington's 4th congressional district feel a bit disenfranchised by the state's new redistricting plan.

The plan, set for legislative adoption by Feb. 7, was put together by a bipartisan commission. The plan moves three Eastern Washington counties from the 4th District into Western Washington's 3rd and 8th congressional districts.

Chelan County, which includes Wenatchee, and Kittitas County, which includes Ellensburg, go into the 8th District held by Republican Dave Reichert. East Wenatchee also goes to the 8th District.

Klickitat County and part of Skamania County go into the 3rd District held by Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler.

The 4th District -- represented by Republican Doc Hastings, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee -- gains Okanogan and more of Adams County from Eastern Washington's 5th District held by Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

The new boundaries will be used in this fall's election.

At meetings last summer, people in Wenatchee and Bellevue said, "Please don't do this. We have nothing in common," said redistricting commission executive director Bonnie Bunning.

But population growth in the Tri-Cities gave the east more people than two districts could hold when the state population is split among 10 districts.

"So simple math told us there had to be some overlap from east to west," Bunning said.

The move should strengthen Reichert and Herrera Beutler as they gain strong Republican counties. Hastings remains in a GOP stronghold.

But Chelan, Kittitas and Klickitat's tree fruit, cattle, hay and wheat industries will lose a knowledgeable agricultural voice in Hastings and must educate Reichert and Herrera Beutler.

Reichert must find balance between rural and urban on issues like transportation and immigration, said Chelan County Commissioner Keith Goehner, a Republican pear grower.

"We've been fortunate to have a representative that understands our concerns well. To acquaint a new one, bring him up to speed, will be a paramount task for all of us," Goehner said.

Another way to look at it is that agriculture will have four voices instead of two, as Reichert and Herrera Beutler have more incentive to pay attention to agriculture, said Bruce Grim, executive director of the Washington State Horticultural Association.

But it still could be a loss if Reichert and Herrera Beutler lost their seats to Democrats less sympathetic to ag. Hastings' work still undoubtedly will benefit agriculture in the region as a whole.

But some say he hasn't done enough on the premier tree fruit issue of the day, immigration reform.

"Some parts of agriculture have had their issues with Hastings, particularly on immigration," said Keith Mathews, chief executive officer of First Fruits Marketing of Washington in Yakima.

"At times, he's not quite as supportive or a leader in that area as much as we would like to see," Mathews said. "It's getting more and more critical for fruit growers to have some resolution or we will continue to lose workforce."

Yet, Bob Brody, a Brewster orchardist who lobbied Congress with a Washington Farm Bureau delegation, said Hastings and Herrera Beutler stand for a guestworker program. Reichert, he said, says something needs to be done but hasn't been a pusher.

McMorris Rodgers supports immigration reform including making sure the current H-2A guestworker program meets the needs of the ag community, said her spokesman, Todd Winer.