Late-night host Stephen Colbert confronted Illinois Governor JB Pritzker with gerrymandered maps of Illinois congressional districts on Tuesday during a discussion about the Texas GOP’s redistricting efforts. The exchange occurred amid growing tensions over partisan gerrymandering, as Texas Republicans have proposed a redistricting plan that could increase their representation in Congress. Colbert humorously demonstrated the bizarre shapes of Illinois districts, highlighting the extreme nature of gerrymandering in the state. He questioned whether such practices were common across the nation, prompting Pritzker to respond with a critique of the Texas GOP’s actions.
Texas House Republicans have introduced a redistricting proposal that could result in five additional GOP seats. The draft map, which is still in development, aims to reshape districts in Democratic-leaning areas like Dallas and Houston to favor Republican voters. This move has sparked a backlash from Texas Democrats, who have left the state to prevent the plan from advancing. Pritzker, who has presidential ambitions, took the opportunity to position Illinois as a refuge for Democratic lawmakers fleeing Texas. His comments emphasized the potential legal challenges and the threat to voting rights posed by the GOP’s actions.
Pritzker joked about the absurdity of the map, comparing it to a kindergarten class’s work and calling it an independent commission. He criticized the Texas GOP for redrawing districts at the behest of Donald Trump and for violating the Voting Rights Act by eliminating districts that protected minority voters. The Governor warned that the proposed changes could end up in court, further escalating the national debate over redistricting and its impact on democracy. Pritzker also expressed solidarity with the Texas Democrats, vowing to stand against what he described as an unconstitutional assault on voting rights.
Colbert’s segment also touched on broader issues of democracy and the threat to civil liberties. Pritzker emphasized the need to fight fire with fire, suggesting that if the Texas GOP continues to act unconstitutionally, Illinois would take measures to protect its democratic process. The conversation highlighted the growing polarized nature of redistricting battles and the potential for legal and political confrontations across the country. With the 2024 and 2028 elections looming, the debate over gerrymandering represents a critical issue in shaping the future of American elections and political representation.