Effect of new Hispanic district doubted

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A retired political science professor says a proposal for a Hispanic-majority congressional district in southern New Mexico won't change that Republicans hold a political advantage in the area.

Theodore Arrington, who taught at the University of North Carolina for 37 years, made the comments in testimony Tuesday at a trial that will determine the future boundaries of New Mexico's three congressional districts.

A Hispanic civil rights group advocates changing the 2nd District to include parts of the south valley of Albuquerque, which currently are in the 1st District with the rest of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

Hispanics ages 18 and over would make up a majority of the proposed district's population rather than 47 percent currently. But Arrington said the district's voting would continue to favor Republican congressional candidates.