Guv candidates talk about redistricting
Susana Martinez (left, courtesy photo) and Diane Denish (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez supports the creation of an independent redistricting commission to take the politics out of redrawing the state’s political boundaries, while Democrat Diane Denish is open to considering the creation of an independent committee that would advise lawmakers and the governor.
The next governor will play a critical role in redistricting – the process of redrawing the state’s congressional and state legislative district boundaries to account for population shifts following the release of the new census numbers. The national Democratic and Republican parties have characterized the process in New Mexico and other states as a partisan battle over which party will control state governments and seats in Congress.
With that in mind, I asked these questions of the gubernatorial candidates:
- Do you agree or disagree with the sentiment of the national parties who characterize redistricting as a partisan battle?
- As governor, how would you approach redistricting?
- Do you view it as an opportunity to redraw the lines to benefit your political party, as Republicans did in Texas in 2003, or would you approach the process in a more bipartisan manner?
- Do you support implementing a nonpartisan redistricting process in New Mexico, perhaps similar to the system in place in Iowa?
The responses:
Susana Martinez
“I support the implementation of an independent redistricting commission. We have seen in New Mexico, as in other states, that the redistricting process can be very contentious and almost completely driven by politics. Too often, politicians gerrymander districts to protect incumbents and the interests of their political party. It has been accurately said that this has the effect of politicians choosing their voters, rather than voters choosing their representatives.
“I would support a structure similar to the one proposed last legislative session, with equal representation on the commission by citizen members of the majority and minority parties. Such an independent citizens commission would help restore confidence in the process with the public, reduce the likelihood of costly court battles, and ensure the boundary lines of districts for the legislature and Congress are fairly drawn.”
Diane Denish
“Recent history has shown that Republicans are the ones who have used redistricting as a political tool to benefit their party. This was especially evident in Texas earlier in the decade. I assume the same would be true if Susana Martinez is elected governor, considering her deep financial ties to large Texas Republican donors.
“That’s not how I operate. As governor, I would be open to considering an independent redistricting committee that would serve in an advisory capacity to the policymakers who are statutorily charged with redistricting.
“Redistricting is an opportunity to ensure fair representation for all New Mexicans. More important than raw partisanship, that means having a redistricting plan that makes sense geographically. It means ensuring that diverse, economically disadvantaged and rural communities have fair representation and a voice in their government.”
Recent history has shown that Republicans are the ones who have used redistricting as a political tool to benefit their party.” Denish sounds like a third grader saying you started it. It is a political process. The Dems are quite proficient at politics. If you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen.
No matter what you do with the lines, you still have to deal with the voters.
The west side of Albuquerque is BADLY under represented at every level. This must be addressed.
ched macquigg, sorry but my trust in “hope” and “change” in politicians is at a low point after voting for it in 2008 and seeing what happened. Not to be defeatist, but still since redistricting is the plum, primo political payoff for the Democratic Party majority in NM, do you really think any Governor can overturn the La Politica dominated Round House in seizing this prize? I just don’t think even an objective, bipartisan super group , if it could even be selected, would have any impact on those legislators bent on exercising their power over the citizens and common sense.
SE New Mexico is pretty much left to Republican senator Rod Adair (who is a professional demographer, I believe) and the result has been the isolating of Democratic enclaves like Mescalero and Chaparral in otherwise heavy Republican districts. So please leave Adair off of any of those proposed independent commissions.
Hemingway and Dr J,
You both seem to think the makeup of this commission would be completely out of your hands. Why? Are you not willing to fight for a truly independent commission – are you really prepared to let the good ol’ boys in either party take it away from you? Perhaps then, they will.
This will be a totally partisan affair – forget independent commissions. Republican State Leadership Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, and Vice-Chairman Tom Reynolds have already announced the creation of the REDistricting MAjority Project (REDMAP), a program of the RSLC dedicated to winning state legislative seats and controlling redistricting in 2011 with $40,000,000 in its war chest. As Reynolds stated: “When those maps are drawn, I want the pen in Republican hands.”
I can just imagine who would be on either candidate’s “independent” commission. Please, don’t insult our intelligence and pretend that the people would have any voice in this partisan political issue. The redistricting will be done by the legislature, on a Democratic Party partisan basis (as they have and will retain the vast majority in SF), period. Yes, it will entrench Ben Ray further, try to squeeze conservatives out of Marty’s district, and by default push conservatives to CD 2. Nothing else will happen except hot air and failed promises by typical politicians running for office.
I find Susana Martinez’ answer assuring; let an independent commission draw the lines.
Diane Denish’s solution; independent “advice” which doesn’t bind the good ol’ boys to do the right thing, is a waste of money. The whole point is; we don’t trust them. Who cares if the ask for “advice” before doing what they want to instead?
I agree with Ramirez, for Denish to imply that we are in no danger of gerrymandering by Democrats, is nonsense on its face.
The winner; Martinez, hands down.
Great report – thanks for pursuing it.
And Democrats aren’t guilty of Gerrymandering? This has happened countless times before in New Mexico, why do you think Democrats have had a stranglehold on the legislature for over 70 years.
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