By Trey Mustian, Chair, Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee
I watched with great interest – and, at times, deep disgust -- the Redistricting Roadshow recently held in New Orleans.
Many spoke passionately of the injustice inherent in Louisiana having a one-third black population that is essentially represented by only one of six Congressional seats. Logically and morally, there should be two majority-minority seats.
Louisiana’s majority white-Republican domination of five state Congressional seats is a direct product of intentional gerrymandering. This has been accomplished by “packing” an unnecessarily high percentage of minority voters into one district and “cracking” the remaining five districts to both diminish and destroy minority representation in Congress.
Those opposing any meaningful change in the apportionment of our Congressional districts struggle to keep straight faces as they argue that current districts should be only minimally adjusted to address mathematical imbalances. They disingenuously argue that race should not be taken into account. And yet our current districts are cynically inspired and purposely drawn to drown the voices of minority and Democratic voters. Behind their poker faces, Republicans know that.
It is utter, sickening hypocrisy.
The winds of change are blowing across this nation, even in Louisiana. By 2045 this country will have a majority-minority population. Young voters are skewing heavily in favor of Democrats and resoundingly rejecting the Republican Party. It is time that Louisiana at least partially reflects this reality.
Justice also requires that an additional majority-minority state representative district be formed in Jefferson Parish, now comprised of 40% minority voters with especially heavy growth in the Hispanic population. Yet there are only two Statehouse districts on the west bank of Jefferson Parish that give minority candidates a realistic chance of election.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has vowed to veto any redistricting plan that does not include an additional majority-minority Congressional district. Republicans tested the governor's ability to uphold a veto in the 2021 override session and were rebuffed. We must call out Republican hypocrisy and urge, encourage and demand that the governor remain resolute on this vital issue.