Democrats react to public testimony on gerrymandered GOP congressional district maps

Democratic members of the Government Oversight Committee today reacted to public testimony on the House Republican congressional map proposal released Wednesday. The GOP proposal doubles down on historic Republican gerrymandering, favoring GOP candidates 13-2 across Ohio. 

Here is what Democrats had to say:

“The Republican-drawn districts aren’t compact, they fail to keep our largest counties together and they unfairly favor Republicans 13-2. This gerrymandered map disrespects the majority of voters who twice demanded fair districts. Ohioans are rightly angry. This map needs a major overhaul to be the bipartisan plan Ohioans expect of us,” said Assistant Whip Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester), the committee’s Ranking Member.

“Ohioans and Democrats want a bipartisan, 10-year map. This isn’t that map, and Ohioans know it. That’s why we are fighting today against this proposal that splits apart our communities for no reason other than to unduly favor Republican candidates. With the help of citizens, we will continue to fight for a map that is compact, keeps our largest counties whole, and reflects the preferences of Ohio voters,” said Minority Whip Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo).

“We heard today from Ohioans whose communities will be split apart for no reason other than to perpetuate another undeserved Republican supermajority. That’s not right,” said Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland). “The Republican map splits our largest counties and carves up communities. It isn’t compact. It unduly favors Republicans 13-2. It isn’t close to being the fair, bipartisan map the voters expect of us. If Republicans are serious about a 10-year map, we’ve got work to do.”

“Ohioans are right to be enraged by the Republican map. It’s a total disaster. It splits our largest counties. It’s not compact. It unfairly favors Republican candidates 13-2. Voters demanded fair districts, but this is more of the same gerrymandering, and Ohioans stood here today and called Republicans out for it,” said Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati). 

“Ohioans want to see a bipartisan, 10-year congressional map that is compact, keeps our largest counties whole, and ensures communities that live, work and play together remain together. The current Republican map is an utter failure on all counts. Ohioans are right to be outraged, and that’s exactly what we heard from today’s testimony,” said Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron).

Ohioans can submit congressional map proposals at redistricting.ohio.gov.