“I think the real question is whether or not this is the best system for drawing state legislative and congressional districts?” Senate Minority Leader John McKinney of Fairfield said in response to the Connecticut Post’s report that Speaker of the House Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, would stay as a member of the next phase of the Reapportionment Committee. “We should examine the process and invite people from around the country to testify on how others redistrict.”
McKinney said that Donovan’s presence on the commission is “very open and transparent” and decreases the likelihood of manipulating districts for his political aspirations, which include the Democratic candidacy for the Fifth Congressional District next year.
House Minority Leader Larry Cafero of Norwalk said that every member of the commission has a stake in the redrawing of the political map. He believes Connecticut is alone in requiring an equal proportion of Democrats and Republicans on the commission, even though the GOP has distinct minorities in the House and Senate.
“If it’s a conflict for Chris, it’s a conflict for all of us,” Cafero said. “We have one of the most-refreshing, fair processes there is.”