State legislators from southwest Indiana have explained their votes on redistricting. WNIN’s John Gibson has details:
Most of the lawmakers invited to Saturday’s Meet Your Lawmakers event at Evansville’s Central Library attended, as did about 200 constituents.
While most of the questions dealt with high utility bills, the lawmakers were also asked about their December votes on redrawing Indiana’s congressional map to further favor Republicans.
GOP Representatives Tim O’Brien and Wendy McNamara said they voted for the measure pushed by President Trump and Governor Braun to ensure the state continues to receive federal funds.
Fellow Republican Cindy Ledbetter says she followed the wishes of her constituents in a rural district:
"Personally I was 'no' on the bill but I had to represent the people in my district."
State Senator Vaneta Becker was the only area Republican to vote no:
"I had over a thousand letters, emails, (and) postcards in opposition to redistricting and I voted accordingly."
The measure passed the Indiana House but was rejected in the state senate.
The GOP currently controls seven of Indiana’s nine congressional districts.
The redistricting was designed to put all nine seats in Republicans’ hands.
