Debate Over Montana’s Congressional Map Intensifies
Republican Aaron Flint’s recent statements about Montana’s congressional districts have sparked controversy. Flint, who is running against Democrat Sam Forstag in the state’s 1st District, argued on the David Webb Show on June 18 that the district’s boundaries were drawn to benefit Democrats.
“After the 2020 census, the state got split in two,” Flint stated. “This Western congressional district that I’m running for this year is a battleground district. This race could determine control of the House of Representatives, but the Democrats basically gerrymandered this seat here in western Montana for a time like this.”
Flint reiterated similar sentiments in a 2023 social media post, claiming “Dems control redistricting which gave us the gerrymandered districts.”
Fact-Checking Flint’s Claims
These claims have been challenged by the facts surrounding Montana’s current congressional map. The map, which emerged following the 2020 census, was actually proposed by Republicans and approved by the chair of the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission. The census had restored Montana’s second U.S. House district after nearly 30 years of having a single at-large representative.
Kendra Miller, a Democrat on the commission, expressed to the Associated Press that the district was advantageous for Republicans and is “not a competitive district in my mind.”
Conversely, Dan Stusek, a Republican on the commission, noted his “pleasantly surprised” reaction when the map was sanctioned.
Political Implications and Voter Sentiment
Miller’s perspective is supported by data indicating that Democrats would have secured a win in the district approximately 25% of the time if it had existed before 2020. Despite this historical context, a June poll by Impact Research revealed a tight race between Flint and Forstag, with a significant portion of voters still undecided.
The post Aaron Flint misleads voters about Montana’s congressional district appeared first on American Journal News.
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