A lot of Democrats are complaining that a gerrymandered district protected Republican Congressman George Radanovich of Mariposa from defeat. They are probably correct that Democrat TJ Cox of Fresno would have had a much better chance against Radanovich if the 19th Congressional District were more competitive. But Democrats need to look in the mirror when it comes to redistricting reform.
The Democrats ran the campaign against the failed redistricting reform proposition in the 2005 special election and then Democratic leaders killed bills in the state Legislature earlier this year, despite claiming they wanted reform.
Cox ran in a district he never had a chance in because of his own party.The Democrats say that they'll try to fix redistricting in the Legislature this year. Don't count on it. They've been lying about that for years.
Here's my column of today discussing how a gerrymandered district saved Radanovich in Tuesday's election.
Okay, but suppose you're a Democrat who resides in a gerrymandered GOP district like Villines'. Who do you put pressure on to change things?
Dem. or Reep. they are suppose to serve the district as a whole.
When you call in for help they don't ask what Party you belong too. Acting on what you request is another story.
Well, I wasn't really talking about constituent services. It's more a question of how one voter (regardless of party as you say) can influence an elected representative to take action that is against his or her own self-interests.
Hi Mike,
I'm not sure how much one voter can do regardless of what party they belong.
I would say to build coalitions on an issue or see what other organizations can do to listen, and help represent you.
Also is it an issues that can be handled at a local, state, or federal level? I assume we are talking federal.
Representatives also have to fight to get issues heard or considered, even then passing a bill is even harder.
I hope I don't sound like them.