Rodino's political problem became primary elections, especially as the cities anchoring the 10th congressional district, such as Newark, East Orange, Irvington, and Orange, saw substantial growth of African American populations as white voters moved to the suburbs. In 1972, the 10th district was redistricted to create a black majority district. Rodino, who had spent a career fighting on behalf of civil rights, was now a white candidate in a district that was drawn to increase African American representation in Congress.
