by Brian Irving
Libertarian for NC Senate 16

Thirty-three Libertarian candidates for the General Assembly pledged today to support a nonpartisan redistricting process if elected. “Like the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians, we believe that voting maps should be drawn in a fair and impartial way that protects the freedom of voters to hold their government accountable and to have a say in who represents them,” the candidates said in a statement.

The platform of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina calls for “a redistricting process conducted by an independent, nonpartisan agency for all local, state, and federal districts. The process should be open and transparent. It should involve significant public input with the opportunity for citizens to weigh in on proposed district maps.”

Here is the full text of the candidates’ joint statement:

“North Carolina's redistricting process allows whichever party controls the legislature to draw our congressional and legislative voting maps.

“The result: gerrymandered districts that unfairly favor one party or the other, which in turn leads to a lack of competition in our elections and no real voice for voters at the ballot box.

“Both parties have indulged in gerrymandering to benefit their own side and our democracy has suffered for it. It's time for real reform.

“Like the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians, we believe that voting maps should be drawn in a fair and impartial way that protects the freedom of voters to hold their government accountable and to have a say in who represents them.

“We, the undersigned, Libertarian candidates for General Assembly pledge to sponsor or support a nonpartisan independent redistricting process in North Carolina.”

Tim Harris, Senate 2, (919) 201-2602

Jesse Shearin, Senate 4, (252) 578-1627

Anthony Mascolo, Senate 8, (910) 550-0106

Ethan Bickley, Senate 9, (706) 951-9310

Richard Haygood, Senate 14, (910) 787-6466

Brian Lewis, Senate 15, (919) 798-0321

Brian Irving, Senate 16, (919) 538-4548

Bruce Basson, Senate 17, (317) 476-5186

Brad Hessel, Senate 18, (919) 278-7395

Jared Erickson, Senate 20, (919) 907-1454

R. Michael Jordan, Senate 30, (336) 402-9883

Mitchell Bridges, Senate 43, (704) 692-6187

Lyndon Smith, Senate 49, (919) 593-4715

T. Lee Horne, House 3, (318) 542-4445

Travis Groo, House 11, (404) 312-4392

Joseph Sharp, House 18, (678) 693-0788

David Perry, House 19, (910) 617-2873

Nick Taylor, House 25, (252) 567-8055

Walt Rabon, House 28, (919) 210-5704

Matthew Wagoner, House 30, 919-471-5645

Erik Raudsep, House 31, (919) 720-1530

Cap Hayes, House 34, (910) 358-0650

Michael Nelson, House 35, (919) 413-7942

Robyn Pegram, House 36, (919) 924-4933

Guy Meilleur, House 37, (919) 906-0465

Bobby Emory, House 38, (919) 706-3144

Martin Matuszewski, House 39, (984) 500-9807

David Ulmer, House 40, 919-539-9486

Jonathan Horst, House 49, (330) 231-9788

Matthew Clements, House 56, (919) 593-2119

Houston Barrow, House 65, (336) 589-7103

Michael Finn, House 67, (631) 478-7652

Steve Brenneis, House 91, (336) 456-3290

For more information, contact any of the candidates or Brian Irving at (919) 538-4548