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. We face a significant shift in our districts due to a Supreme Court decision. 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 gerrymanderers 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 are 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. One of us will retire or relocate.

Ty and I are the closest of friends. Despite this unnecessary problem, our long-standing friendship and commitment to Calumet County remains strong. We are dedicated to resolving this matter in a way that preserves our friendship and continues our service to the community. We will keep the interests of the people we represent at the forefront.

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