Redistricting Could Merge Eastern Mass. Seats

Democratic Reps. Stephen Lynch and William Keating could face off in next year's election if the legislative committee charged with redrawing Massachusetts congressional districts chooses to merge their seats.

Residents are not likely to see a new district map until fall, but some have suggested Lynch and Keating are most vulnerable if the committee chooses to protect high-ranking lawmakers in Washington and the only woman in the state's congressional delegation.

State Rep. Michael Moran, the House chairman of the Joint Redistricting Committee, says no decisions have been made and the committee is considering a number of factors.

Moran, a Boston Democrat, said the committee's focus is maintaining the state's majority-minority district, and creating proportional, contiguous districts.

The state will lose one of its 10 U.S. House seats, all held by Democrats, because of population declines.