Trump Questions Massachusetts Gerrymandering Claims, Experts Disagree

Former President Donald Trump recently asserted that Massachusetts engages in gerrymandering, claiming the state’s congressional delegation does not reflect the political support for Republicans. His comments have reignited discussions about partisan redistricting in the state, amidst ongoing debates in other regions like Texas and California. Trump stated, “I got 40 percent in Massachusetts, and yet they have 100 percent of the vote in terms of Congress. So there’s no Republican, there’s no anything. We should have 40 percent. You know why? They redistricted.”

Experts, however, have challenged Trump’s assertions. Moon Duchin, a professor at the University of Chicago and a recognized authority on redistricting, firmly disagrees with Trump’s characterization. Duchin has conducted extensive research on the political landscape of Massachusetts, concluding that the state’s Democratic dominance is not a result of gerrymandering but rather reflects demographic realities. In her findings, she noted that “every single one of [the redistricting options] would produce a 9-0 Democratic delegation.”

Duchin explained that the political makeup of Massachusetts shows a significant Democratic majority. “Massachusetts has about a third Republicans statewide, and in every county, and in every town, and, as far as I know, in every household,” she said. This demographic distribution leads to a natural outcome where, regardless of how the district lines are drawn, Democrats are likely to prevail.

Secretary of State Bill Galvin has also weighed in, asserting that there is no credible evidence to support claims of manipulated districts benefiting Democrats. “If you look at the overall, at our nine seats, they’re very geographically balanced,” he stated. Galvin emphasized that arguments about gerrymandering from historical figures like Elbridge Gerry are outdated and do not apply to the current political context.

The question of Republican representation in Massachusetts raises additional points of interest. Notable Republican figures, such as former governors Mitt Romney and Bill Weld, have struggled to gain traction when seeking higher office, reflecting a broader trend of voter preferences in the state. The last Republican to win a federal office from Massachusetts, Scott Brown, faced a challenging election against Elizabeth Warren in 2012, illustrating the mounting partisan polarization during the Obama administration.

Massachusetts voters are often categorized as independents, who generally express a strong aversion to extreme partisanship. This demographic characteristic complicates the narrative around gerrymandering, as the lack of Republican representation is more closely tied to voter sentiment than to district design.

As the debate on gerrymandering continues, Trump’s claims about Massachusetts serve as a reminder of the complexities surrounding political representation in the United States. The state’s congressional delegation, as highlighted by experts, appears to be a reflection of demographic realities rather than a product of partisan manipulation.