In a series of text messages with another government official, Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose characterized the highly gerrymandered redistricting map process as “asinine” before saying he would vote for it to placate Party officials, information uncovered by Democracy Docket reveals.
“This rationale is asinine,” LaRose told the unnamed individual in a text message about the process used to develop the redistricting map released by the state. “I should vote no.”
“It will be cited in the court [case] against the GOP,” the person responds. “Probably not worth it.”
“That was my intention,” LaRose answers. “But yes. It’s a temper tantrum vote for no reason. None the less it’s asinine. Second asinine thing I’m voting for tonight.”
The exchange was disclosed as part of the discovery process for a case challenging the legitimacy of the redistricting map proposed by the Republican led legislature that will relegate only about 25 legislative districts to be competitive, out of the 132 between the state house and senate and the 15 Congressional districts.
As proposed by Republicans, the new map would create enough “solid red” districts to ensure Republicans controlled both chambers of the state legislature by large margins although more voters may choose Democratic candidates.