In a new Guardian opinion piece, Colin Powell School political science professor and Moynihan Center Executive Director Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti warns that Democrats risk undermining both their values and their strategy if they respond to Republican gerrymandering by embracing the same tactics.
When Texas Republicans unveiled a heavily gerrymandered congressional map that could erase a Latino-led seat in Austin and add up to five new GOP House seats, Democrats across the country voiced outrage. But some party leaders also suggested retaliation: California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have both signaled support for more aggressive map-drawing in their states.
Invernizzi-Accetti argues this “fight fire with fire” approach is the wrong path. Simulations by 538 show that in an all-out gerrymandering battle, Republicans would still come out ahead, winning more than 260 seats to Democrats’ 173. Beyond strategy, he stresses that adopting the same undemocratic methods would corrode the very principle Democrats claim to defend: voting equality.
“Rather than mirroring their opponents,” he writes, “Democrats should seek to differentiate themselves — through strict adherence to democratic norms and a forthright, progressive policy platform.” The stronger response, he argues, is to mobilize voters, strengthen democratic institutions, and win elections on ideas and policy — not by redrawing the rules.
Read the full article in The Guardian here.
