Despite the addition of 5 new Hispanic majority districts to bring the total to 13, and 12 other districts less than 50% White, Democrats aren't happy. Apparently the committee didn't completely cave and disenfranchise all White Republicans. They're angry that a Hispanic Democrat might actually have to run in a competitive seat. The Voting Rights Act wasn't written to gerrymander every area of the to get a Hispanic district. No, they haven't maximized the number of possible Hispanic gerrymanders. They've just come close.
The VRA was passed so that states wouldn't crack cities. That's when you break-up a neighborhood to dilute the group's voting power. It was designed to provide minorities with equal opportunity, not provide extra opportunity and discriminate against Whites. I'm fine on increased Hispanic opportunities, but maybe Hispanics can actually win a district that isn't majority Hispanic, as Jaime Herrera and Raul Labrador did in 2010. At least they could have the decency to lie to us, and not have this coming out of Democratic HQ. Then we could pretend it was abut Hispanics and not just Democrats.
I'm guessing Baca is waiting for the commission to change the 31st to be more Hispanic before declaring. Of course he'll sue if they don't.
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