Democratic Radio "Redistricting Decision Good News for Voters" Print
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Written by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats   
Thursday, 08 December 2016 16:35

wi-dist-mapsRep. Fred Kessler of Milwaukee talks about the recent federal court decision on redistricting.


fred-risserMADISON – Today Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) offered the Democratic Weekly Radio Address. The topic this week concerns the recent federal court decision on redistricting.

"I applaud the citizens who stepped forward to stand up to Republican overreach," Rep. Kessler said. "Let’s work together to make Wisconsin more inclusive, open, and representative of what people want. We hope you’ll join our efforts to make this state one that listens to everyone’s voices – not just the powerful and partisan."

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here, and the video can be found here.

Or Below.

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello, I’m Representative Fred Kessler with this week’s Democratic address.

"Democrats believe that voters should be able to choose their representatives, not the other way around. Unfortunately, for years under Republican one-party-rule, Wisconsin voters have suffered under an unfair system of gerrymandered districts designed to keep Republicans in power.

"In 2012, 1.4 million Democrats voted in State Assembly races compared to 1.2 million Republicans, yet the GOP came away with a staggering 60-39 majority.

"It’s simple: I believe Wisconsin voters should not be robbed of fair representation by the political majority manipulating election boundaries to entrench itself in power, and that is why I have made this one of the highest priorities of my legislative career.

"Two and a half years ago, I convened a group of interested citizens, including Attorneys Peter Earle and James Hall, along with UW Law Professor Bill Whitford and others, who initiated a lawsuit to challenge the GOP gerrymander in federal court in Madison.

"The court agreed. Two weeks ago, there was an historic victory for Wisconsin voters as the federal court ruled that the Republican’s 2010 legislative maps were unconstitutional.

"This decision will have consequences not just for Wisconsin, but for the nation.

"I applaud the citizens who stepped forward to stand up to Republican overreach.

"Let’s work together to make Wisconsin more inclusive, open, and representative of what people want. We hope you’ll join our efforts to make this state one that listens to everyone’s voices – not just the powerful and partisan."