39 percent of Republican state legislators negatively impacted
The report in the daily carried an innocuous headline — Some lawmakers feel upended by new map – belying the disturbing facts behind Arizona’s so-called Independent Redistricting Committee‘s charade of impartiality redrawing district lines.
Although the state Constitution prohibits the Democrat-heavy commission from considering the addresses of incumbents or would-be challengers when setting the maps, the facts speak for themselves. Republicans have been targeted in at least 20 districts, with current legislators being drawn into districts where they will be pitted against other Republican office holders.
Glaring examples abound. The new boundaries will force a state urban representative from Phoenix into a rural Prescott district that is home to two current House members — one the Speaker of the Arizona House. Since two representatives and one senator represents each district, the map sets up an indefensible situation, and one that is repeated for many GOP legislators.
A conservative Republican state senator representing North Phoenix’s Anthem community in Maricopa County also finds herself drawn into rural Prescott in Yavapai County, and pitted against the moderate Senate President-elect.
The Majority Whip in the House, for example, is drawn into new territory only six blocks outside of her current boundaries. Happenstance? It appears highly unlikely. In contrast, only seven Democrats might face similar circumstances. Or as the article so cunningly phrased it, “potentially adversely affected.”
Chaos reins supreme as the laser-like “tentative” final maps have zeroed in on their intended targets — conservative Republicans.
Check out the PAChyderm Coalition’s legislative report card. Many of those with the highest ratings are facing unjustifiable challenges.
This commission is anything but “Independent.” Glad Seeing Red AZ points that out. Colleen Mathis, the “independent” chairman rightly ousted by Gov. Brewer and wrongly reinstated by the Arizona Supreme Court, has longstanding Democrat ties. I lost any respect I had for the state’s high court when it crowned this woman queen with their inappropriate decision.
It’s clear currently seated Republican lawmakers AND congressmen were targeted. A two-to-two split commission with a left leaning chair, makes it a three-to-two split. What does anyone expect? Making matters worse, the Republicans were not assertive. (“Weak as water,” is a saying that I’m reminded of.)
So right MacBeth, the two so called Republicans are frauds too. If one is appointed to a commission he, or she is expected to fight for the ends that the commission was established to meet. These clowns did nothing. Our esteemed Governor seems to have waited til the very last minute to get involved as well.
I well remember when the legislative lines were drawn by the legislators themselves. Although this system was sold to the voters as nefarious and in need of “independent” oversight, that turned out far worse than the much fairer plan with the legislators making the changes. They (Democrats and Republicans) worked together and, yes, it was not undercover that they knew where they each lived. So does this bunch of phonies…they just lie about it.
The sad truth is the voters are easily duped by slick ad campaigns and even clicker names. You can count on the fact that anything that is called “Independent” isn’t. Colleen Mathis is a prime example.
How true! And how about the salesmanship that was taken hook line and sinker by the gullible voters when they bought into a scam called “Clean Elections?“ That was a major fraud perpetrated by the left and voted in by the easily conned. They must have figured that the opposite of “clean” elections were “dirty” ones. Not so, of course. That group used the name Citizens Clean Elections Commission, when the “citizens” were actually being played for fools by those with a devious agenda.
Too many people get busy with their lives and don’t pay attention to the issues, which affect them and their children in more ways than they can ever imagine with their apathy.
COPY THAT Stanford! Th’ “sheeple” are gonna get “fleeced” on this one! It’s a VERY DANGEROUS situation for Arizona…& we can’t even take it to a legitimate court….our own high court is in on th’ sham!
SRA, I appreciate your style of writing on the facts and leaving personalities out of your post. However, the article you link to does identify Sen. Lori Klein as the Anthem senator gerrymandered into RINO Sen. Pres. Steve Pierce’ district. Pierce endorsed John McCain in 2010.
Sen. Klein beat another John McCain endorsing RINO “incumbent” in 2010. That was David Braswell who was appointed by the liberal County Board of Supervisors to complete the term of failed congressional candidate, Sen. Pam Gorman. Lori Klein has done it once and given the conservative nature of Yavapai County voters she could easily do it again.
Here is an excellent reminder of Arizona’s big government Republicans:
http://seeingredaz.wordpress.com/2010/03/19/mcturncoats-in-the-arizona-legislature/