House & Senate in Chester
I am a resident of Honey Brook Boro in NW Chester County. I am an independent voter; I feel it incumbent upon me to mention my [lack of] party because the process, which I’d hoped would be less contentious, shows how the parties feel they own us…until we ask something of them that is difficult. Then they are hands off. I sympathize with Chair Nordenberg about the difficulty of getting one’s mind wrapped around redistricting and mapping. I notice many of those charged with handling congressional mapping did not even try. This commission does seem to have engaged the process but there is much to keep one’s eye on. It helps to have a knowledgeable team who can catch each other’s oversteps. Thank you for making a map that is more politically balanced. All legislators benefit from a little competition. I am not a fan of splitting cities or municipalities to achieve partisan balance but I can see how one would think that more equitable. One’s party in PA can be malleable. The independent-minded may join a party to participate in the primary, or one may simply change one’s mind…or someone else’s mind. That is the American way. Therefore I do not think it necessary to hew too closely to measuring party affiliation within political subdivisions. I do not think incumbents should be prioritized in drawing the maps. Once the maps have been free of partisan gerrymanders for a cycle at least, we may consider, but not prioritize, incumbents. In this climate it is difficult to engage without one’s bluster getting in the way, but in the best of all possible worlds, I would prefer to have a nonpartisan committee simply follow the Constitution by avoiding splits, listen to communities and give no opportunity for partisan manipulation on either side. With regard to the House map, it’s fine but I do wish Chester were more elegantly divided, following school district lines, perhaps. The Coatesville Area School District is woefully underfunded and experiencing issues schools in wealthier pockets of Chester do not have. It might be best if CASD school district were kept whole to ensure focused attention. The most vulnerable among us must be protected. The Senate map is fine; after complaining about incumbent protection and splits, I am glad you did not follow the Constitution and left Senator Muth to represent us in Chester. She is one in a million. Whoever gets her as a senator is a lucky voter.