TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie said the new legislative district map, approved yesterday, is "only slightly better" than the previous map, which he called "unfair and unconstitutional." Democrats scored a victory in the redistricting process when Rutgers Professor Alan Rosenthal selected their version of the new map, going against Republicans who had pushed for more districts where they would...
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Gov. Chris Christie in this March 17 file photo.TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie said the new legislative district map, approved yesterday, is "only slightly better" than the previous map, which he called "unfair and unconstitutional."
Democrats scored a victory in the redistricting process when Rutgers Professor Alan Rosenthal selected their version of the new map, going against Republicans who had pushed for more districts where they would be competitive. Rosenthal was the 11th tie breaking member of the redistricting commission and cast the deciding vote.
Christie was one of the first governors in recent memory to become directly involved in the process, participating in meetings and negotiations over the map held for more than a week at The Heldrich hotel in New Brunswick. Christie made three appearances at the meetings, remaining in the Republican room during discussions with Rosenthal.
Christie said he was participating in the process to "support his team," adding that as governor is head of the state Republican Party. He also challenged the notion that other governors hadn't participated in the process, saying those before him just did so quietly.
Christie said he has not heard any Republicans say they are going to file suit opposing the map.
Christie said Democrats and Rosenthal argued that the new map is "theoretically competitive," but the governor argued that in practice it protects incumbent Democrats. He said a map that had been more "truly competitive" districts would have been preferred.
"Statisticians can sit in a room and make anything theoretically possible," Christie said. "The Republican map would have led to more competition, which I think would have led to better governance."
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Previous coverage:
• N.J. Democrats retain advantage in upcoming legislative elections
• Redistricting commission approves Democratic-proposed legislative map
• Democratic State Senator might move to increase reelection chances
• Minority coalition sides with Democrats' proposed N.J. redistricting map
• Both parties to make final pitches to tiebreaker in N.J. redistricting meetings
• N.J. minority groups say they're unhappy with legislative redistricting process
• Gov. Christie arrives in New Brunswick for N.J. redistricting commission meetings
