Today, Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins confirmed what Kansans already know: extreme, mid-decade redistricting is unpopular. While Hawkins acknowledged the state House currently lacks the votes to pass new gerrymandered maps, he also said it remains a top priority. Representative Sharice Davids released the following response.

“Kansans have been crystal clear: they don’t want politicians stacking the deck to cling to power. I hope all lawmakers in Topeka are listening,” said Davids. “But let’s not kid ourselves — backed by Washington extremists, state politicians made clear even today that rigging our elections remains a top priority, because they know their extreme policies can’t win on a level playing field. Voters deserve to choose their representatives, not the other way around.”

Last year, Republican leaders in Topeka fell short in their first attempt to call a special session to gerrymander Kansas’ congressional maps, but GOP politicians in Topeka have vowed to try again when the Legislature reconvenes in January. Senate President Ty Masterson called redistricting “a top priority,” and Hawkins said Republicans still “wish to have a conversation about redistricting.”

Today, Hawkins said, “To say that redistricting wasn’t high on my priority list would be wrong because I truly believe that it was the right thing to do.” Even with the House lacking the votes now, his comments make one thing clear: extreme politicians in Topeka are intent on trying again, pushing to redraw maps in their favor as soon as the Legislature reconvenes next week.