December 5, 2011

BRIDGEPORT LAWMAKERS AND MAYOR FINCH
TAKE EXCEPTION TO GOP REDISTRICTING PLAN

Bridgeport State Representatives Andres Ayala (District 128th), Don Clemons (District 124th), Ezequiel Santiago (District 130th) and Charlie Stallworth (District 126th) together with Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch issued the following joint statement regarding the proposed Congressional redistricting plan:

We take great exception to the legislative Republican Congressional redistricting plan that moves the City of Bridgeport from the 4th to the 3rd Congressional District. The attempt – disguised as strengthening minority influence by increasing the number of minority residents in the 3rd District is nothing more than a political maneuver designed to create a Republican stronghold in the 4th.

One goal of redistricting is to strengthen minority influence in as many districts as possible. Currently, four of our five Congressional districts have significant minority influence. The Republican proposal runs counter to that philosophy, reducing minority influence in two districts.

Also, under their scheme, Republicans maintain that Bridgeport would join New Haven as a “community of interest.” In fact, for decades we have shared interests – economic, social, political – with the cities and towns of Fairfield County and the 4th Congressional District. Those ties are strong, and should remain so.

Finally, the 4th has been represented by Democrats and Republicans over the years. Until recently, it was dominated for decades by Republican representation. Republican efforts to configure this district as their own are transparent and unworthy of the process.

Bridgeport's own Robert DeForest represented Connecticut's 4th District in Southwest Connecticut over a hundred years ago. Bipartisan teams of redistricters have kept Bridgeport in the Fairfield County-based 4th District since the modern process began in 1965. We strongly urge the redistricting panel or judges, whoever may ultimately decide, to recognize Bridgeport’s central and historic role in Fairfield County and keep it in the 4th Congressional District. The issues facing Bridgeport and all of Fairfield County are too important to be lost in an unnecessary political shuffle.