Redistricting arms race reminder that Washington has too much power
When it comes to the arms race of congressional redistricting, perhaps mutual assured destruction will finally kick in. I just read a Fox News piece where Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., is now calling on his state to join the race for redistricting in order to secure a partisan majority in the House of Representatives.
Of course, the entire melee began in Texas, where President Trump signaled support for redrawing congressional lines before the 2030 census and most Republican state lawmakers quickly fell in line.
Given the news from Texas, a partisan scramble ensued and California and other blue states quickly announced their own redistricting plans to cancel out Texas’s likelihood of netting five seats for the the GOP.
It’s comical to watch the mad dash of lawmakers now calling for redistricting in their states, a process traditionally taking place after the census. All of this is fueled because of addiction to power and the opportunity to reign over the spoils and largesse of Washington.
The simplest fix? Return more power to the states. When Washington matters less, congressional redistricting battles matter less. Federalism means allowing states to govern more of their own affairs, making each race less about controlling Washington and more about representing local priorities. Both parties have valid complaints about fairness in redistricting. But unless we reduce Washington’s influence, the cycle of manipulation and mistrust will only continue. So will the comedy, but that’s at our own expense.
—Ray Nothstine
— The Federalism Beat