Arizona Democratic Party on what occurred at the AIRC hearing in Tucson

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Here is an email I received from Luis Heredia, Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party:

Insiders 1, Arizonans 0

Republican insiders have bullied the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission from Day One — and it's finally paying off.  Today, the commission voted down 3-2 a map that would have created four fair and competitive congressional districts across Arizona . 

The independent chair sided with Republicans in the commission's most important vote thus far. This is unacceptable and bad for Arizona's future. The alternative would gerrymander Arizona and protect the status quo at the expense of competitive districts.

If these commissioners do not create at least  four competitive districts, it would damage Arizonans' hopes for more mainstream leadership in the next 10 years of elections. And this commission would go down in history as one that did the bidding of the politicians in power.

Each of us must tell Chairwoman Mathis that at least four out of the nine congressional districts must be competitive. Anything less means the commission has buckled to political pressure and failed in its duties to Arizona citizens.

We need you to make your voice heard RIGHT NOW to stop this commission from gift-wrapping gerrymandered districts for partisan politicians. Click here to submit your comments to the commission and make a strong call for at least four competitive districts. Or call (toll free) 1-855-733-7478 to leave your comments and make it clear that anything less than four competitive districts is unacceptable.

Sincerely,

Luis Heredia
Executive Director, Arizona Democratic Party