We are also thrilled to report that there have been major developments in the ongoing Texas redistricting cases that have been making their way through the federal courts, as well as the first signs that voters will no longer stand for the out-of-touch and insulting war being waged by tea party extremists.
Find out all the results of the election, exactly what is going on in the redistricting cases, which Texas Legislator is responsible for the latest round of bad press for the state, and a wrap-up of our events for the year, here in the latest edition of the Week in Review.
~Team Annie
Voters Reject GOP Extremists Across the Country
This week very well could be a bellweather for 2012. Voters made it known, loud and clear, that they have had enough of the right-wing extremists that have hijacked our politics. Here are the highlights from the week:
From women's health in Mississippi, to worker's rights in Ohio, to immigration reform in Arizona, to Texas Republican efforts to silence minority voters in redistricting - extremist efforts were rejected again and again this week!
This is a great first step but we have much work ahead of us. Now we need the resources and the focused discipline in the next 12 months to show voters how our values match their priorities. That is a challenge that we all welcome!
Redistricting Watch
The federal court in Washington D.C. handed down a devastating blow to Rick Perry and Texas Republicans by denying their request for summary judgement and "pre-clearance" on the maps drawn last legislative session. That came right on the heels of the Department of Justice determining that there had been deliberative "discriminatory intent" involved in the process.
A San Antonio federal court is now tasked with compiling "interim maps" that will likely better reflect the demographic changes that have driven the bulk of the state's overall growth since 2001. These developments make us cautiously optimistic that the Republicans' deliberative targeting of Senator Wendy Davis, Rep. Veronica Gonzales and others will be corrected.
The court has already moved the candidate filing period now to November 28th - December 15th so we know that the interim maps will be released on or before November 28th and we are anxiously awaiting them so we can immediately begin a fast and furious candidate recruitment effort.
It is worth noting once more that this is the FIRST time we have had a Democratic administration and Department of Justice during redistricting since before the Voting Rights Act passed in the 1960's. We thank the DOJ for actually enforcing the VRA and working to make sure that everyone's voices are heard in exercising the most sacred of rights in this country.
On the Trail...