Rep. Ron Kind Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Reform Redistricting

Recently, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) became a cosponsor on a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI ) and U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) to eliminate the divisive practice of gerrymandering and the hyper-partisanship of the redistricting process by establishing an independent, bipartisan redistricting commission to redraw congressional district lines once every 10 years.

"I applaud the work being done by a bipartisan group of Wisconsinites to fix the legislative maps in Wisconsin. However, we can also be taking steps on the federal level to find a common sense solution to the hyper partisanship that has been seen in redistricting," said U.S. Rep. Kind. "The reforms proposed in this bill will work to ensure that all Wisconsinites have their voice heard in the political process and adds transparency to the elections process."

"Rep. Ribble and Rep. Cooper are taking on the Party establishments with this legislation, designed to bring power back to the people," said former Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center). "I'm thankful that support for the bill is growing, and citizens concerned about our country's future should appreciate Congressman Kind's support as well."

"Rep. Kind has long been a champion for the people of western and central Wisconsin, and has been willing to buck Party leadership," said former Sen. Tim Cullen (D-Janesville). "This is the right issue to pick such a fight on and I commend Rep. Kind for co-sponsoring the John Tanner Act so voters can choose their Federal Representatives, instead of the other way around. I thank Rep. Ribble and Rep. Cooper for putting this bill forward."

Senators Schultz and Cullen are both former Majority Leaders of the Wisconsin State Senate, and are co-chairing the Wisconsin Fair Elections Project, a campaign to end partisan gerrymandering.

According to the Cook Political Report's Partisan Voting Index, only 20 percent of House districts are considered competitive and the number of "swing seats" is at a record low of 90 out of 435.

The bill is based in part on the non-partisan commission model used in the neighboring state of Iowa.

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