Republican Statement on Democrats’ Introduction of Partisan Maps

DENVER—Senate Democrats introduced a partisan redistricting map, one that papers across the state have called everything from “wrong,” “radical,” and “not good to Colorado” to “a cynical ploy.” 

Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, said:

 “It’s disappointing that the Senate Democrats decided to forgo the bipartisan Joint Select Committee on Redistricting, only to introduce their own partisan map. 

“The Democrat maps are not only an insult to the law, but also to the thousands of Coloradans who have testified, sent emails and made phone calls asking for a map that is fair and protects Colorado communities.” 

Co-chair of the Joint Select Committee on Redistricting, State Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, said:

“We are constitutionally obligated to draw a map.  I am disappointed that Senate Democrats decided to go it alone.  I had hoped that we would be introducing a bipartisan plan.”  

  

Committee member, Rep. B.J. Nikkel, R-Loveland, said:

“It’s astounding that while Colorado’s newspapers, business communities and citizens agree with the Republican maps, Democrats in the statehouse insist on drawing maps that will radically change district boundaries and hamper the voice of our military, energy, rural and agricultural communities, for partisan gain.”

Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, also a committee member, said:

“I’m disappointed that Democrats insist carving up the Western Slope and Eastern Plains, but I am proud that Republicans will stand-up and fight for rural Colorado.  I have an ‘R’ behind my name, but that stands more for ‘rural’ than ‘Republican.’”

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