Democrats blast Republicans for passing partisan gerrymandered map that favors GOP candidates 13-2

Democratic members of the Government Oversight Committee today voted in opposition to the Republican-backed congressional district map, which unduly favors GOP candidates 13-2. No public testimony was allowed on the partisan map, and when pressed by Democrats Wednesday, Speaker Cupp indicated Republicans had no intention of negotiating on fair maps with Democrats. After passing the Government Oversight Committee, the bill heads to the House floor for consideration.

Here is what Democrats had to say:

“The Republican-drawn districts aren’t compact, they fail to keep communities together and they unduly favor Republicans 13-2. This gerrymandered map betrays the voters who twice demanded fair districts,” said Assistant Whip Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester), the committee’s Ranking Member. “It’s clear that Republicans had no intention of ever passing a bipartisan, 10-year map, especially as this egregiously gerrymandered map was pushed through without input from Democrats or Ohio citizens. It’s shameful.”

“Republicans didn’t approach us in good faith negotiations in this process, and with the map they passed today, we now know why. It’s a map that splits apart our communities and unduly favors Republican candidates 13-2. It’s a betrayal of the more than 70 percent of voters who stood up to demand fair maps,” said Minority Whip Rep. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo).

“The map passed today is nothing more than a redesigned 13-2 map that unduly favors Republican candidates in nearly every district across Ohio. That’s not the fair map voters overwhelmingly voted for in 2018. This partisan map is drawn for a simple reason: to perpetuate another decade of undeserved Republican control of our congressional seats,” said Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland). 

“It’s unfortunate that Republicans were unwilling to negotiate in good faith on a long-term, bipartisan map Ohioans expected of us. Instead, voters are left wondering if their voice matters, as Republicans pushed through an extreme gerrymandered map that splits apart communities and unduly favors GOP candidates 13-2. With this map, Republicans are teeing up a veto by the governor or a referendum by the people of Ohio whom they betrayed,” said Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron).

“Republicans are sending to the House floor a map that clearly and unduly favors GOP candidates 13-2. They refused to negotiate with Democrats or listen to the voters. With this partisan, gerrymandered map, they’re inviting a veto by the governor or a referendum by the people of Ohio who expected more of their government,” said Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati).