Undercurrents

Democrats can't claim moral high ground on gerrymandering w/ Ryan Girdusky

Aug 8, 2025
Ryan Girdusky, host of the Numbers Game podcast and writer for the National Populist Substack, dives into the contentious world of gerrymandering. He sheds light on how both parties—specifically focusing on Texas—manipulate district lines for political gain, undermining fair representation. Girdusky questions media biases that often overlook Democratic actions and outlines the implications for future elections. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by political figures like Gavin Newsom and Kathy Hochul within a shifting Democratic landscape.
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INSIGHT

Both Parties Gerrymander Equally

  • Both parties gerrymander; neither holds a moral high ground.
  • Media often portrays Democrats as defenders while ignoring their gerrymanders.
INSIGHT

Independent Commissions Can Also Be Partisan

  • Independent commissions can produce maps as partisan as legislatures.
  • Only a few states consistently draw fair, neat districts despite reforms.
INSIGHT

Politicians Now Pick Their Voters

  • Redistricting lets politicians choose voters instead of voters choosing politicians.
  • That dynamic entrenches power and reduces electoral competitiveness.
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