Feb. 09, 2022
HARRISBURG – Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette), who represents the 49th District, parts of Fayette and Washington counties, “The Mon Valley,” has continued to demand answers for “We The People” regarding the proposed House map in the redistricting process.
“This is the first redistricting process I have been in office for and I am appalled at the actions of the chairman of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, former Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh Mark Nordenberg,” said Cook. “Nordenberg is to be a nonpartisan voice on the commission, but instead, he has led the charge and has even created his own map – something that has never happened in redistricting history.”
Every 10 years, Pennsylvania must draw new district lines to reflect population shifts. These lines are to be drawn based on the state’s natural political geography; however, the lines in the proposed House map are extremely gerrymandered under the direction of Nordenberg.
“Nordenberg has proven that this is a political process to him and he is ignoring what is important to ‘We The People,’” Cook continued. “Our constituents care about their communities and district resources. Nordenberg is disrupting people’s lives by shifting lines in a way that benefits the Democrats and splits communities that have worked for years to create unity.”
In the first map Nordenberg proposed, he moved the 50th District, currently consisting of parts of Greene, Fayette and Washington counties and represented by Democratic Rep. Pam Snyder, out to Lancaster County. In the second map he proposed, he and his politically connected partners moved the 49th District, which Cook currently represents, to be in place of Snyder’s current district. The two incumbents would have to face off against each other for the seat Snyder has held for the last 10 years.
“I am publicly asking Nordenberg to show us his work,” Cook concluded. “’We The People’ deserve transparency and accountability from the commission, which ensures fairness to our people. Nordenberg needs to show us why he thinks his proposed House map is the right move for Pennsylvania.”
Representative Bud Cook
49th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Michelle Swab
717.260.6325
mswab@pahousegop.com
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