Democrats' Epic Gerrymandering Failure: How They Snoozed and Lost!

2025-09-15 12:00:20.098

The article explores the reasons behind the Democrats' disadvantage in gerrymandering, citing the Supreme Court's decision, Mitch McConnell's influence, and the Republicans' successful Redmap strategy. A key factor was the Democrats' failure to prioritize redistricting after their 2008 victory, neglecting down-ballot races and state legislatures. The author highlights the warnings from key figures like Steve Israel, John Tanner, and Martin Frost, who understood the importance of redistricting but were largely ignored by the Democratic leadership. Israel, former DCCC chairman, describes the limited competitive districts and the devastating impact of gerrymandering. Tanner, a former congressman, details his unsuccessful attempts to introduce legislation addressing partisan gerrymandering, encountering resistance from both parties. Frost, another former congressman, explains how Texas Democrats successfully managed redistricting in the past but the party failed to continue this effort. The article concludes that the Democrats' lack of long-term strategy, coupled with the Republicans' focus on judicial appointments and state-level control, led to their current predicament.