What is Tonymandering? (TOE-nee-man-der-ing) Noun.

A type of gerrymandering with maximum or near-maximum punitive hostility to the opposing party. Tonymandering occurs when a legislative redistricting map purposely draws as many opposing party members into the same district to force retirements or families to move. It is a hateful, punitive, and unnecessary action. Named after Wisconsin’s Governor, Tony Evers.

Rep. Ron Tusler & Rep. Ty Bodden Drawn Into the 3rd Assembly District

Calumet County's representation in Madison, currently providing for four legislators, includes Reps. Binsfeld, Tittl, Bodden, and myself. Due to a Supreme Court decision in 2024, Calumet County will now only be represented by myself. In Clarke v. Wisconsin, the liberal Supreme Court ruled that the state's electoral maps were to be redrawn in favor of Democrats. They created a process criticized for allowing professional Democrat-aligned gerrymanders, outside the state, to draft gerrymandered maps for their party’s benefit. The Democrat "gerrymanders" requested new maps to be provided by Gov. Evers, Democrats, and Republicans. Gov. Evers’s map created a new type of partisan gerrymandering, or "Tonymandering," designed to disadvantage Republican representatives, personally. These Tonymandered maps gave Republicans, as a group, a chance to win the Assembly this November. A professional Democrat gerrymander would likely give Republicans no chance to win a majority in the Assembly. Calumet’s representatives voted unanimously to take Evers's “Tonymandered” maps and give Republicans a chance to win the Assembly in November.

As a result of this “Tonymander”, over 30 Republican representatives, including Rep. Bodden and myself were in a precarious position. Rep. Bodden’s 59th district is eliminated. My 3rd district is split in half. Both of us now fall within the boundaries of the 3rd Assembly District. Governor Evers "Tonymander" forced Ty to not seek reelection in 2024. Ty will be greatly missed in the legislature, he worked hard for Calumet County. Governor Evers & the liberal Supreme Court activists are responsible for Calumet County receiving less representation in 2025. I will continue to consult Ty on matters related to Calumet County and other important issues facing Wisconsin.

To find out more about how Tonymandering has affected your representation in Madison, click here