Despite problems with the political structure, Kate Barr refuses to allow herself to be defeated.Image: watson/imago-images.de
Millions of Americans have been denied the right to participate in democracy due to “gerrymandering.” Kate Barr is also going to lose her campaign because of this and is turning it into a political weapon.
November 3, 2024 17:13November 3, 2024 17:18
Julian Severs/t-online
An article by
The race for the White House between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump may be one of the closest in recent American history. But even in a competitive swing state like North Carolina, some campaigns are decided before they even begin — like that of Democrat Kate Barr.
Barr is running for North Carolina Senate District 37 seat – fully aware that she had no chance in tailor-made conservative areas. Barr turned it into a campaign slogan that is now gaining traction beyond North Carolina: “Kate Barr can't win.”
At first glance, this may seem like an admission of weakness, but a closer look reveals it to be a pointed criticism of a political practice known as gerrymandering.
«Fucking gerrymandering»
The term “gerrymandering” refers to former Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry and the districts that were redrawn in his favor, shaped like a salamander.
Districts are tailored to specific groups of voters — in this case, to secure an otherwise competitive district for Republicans. In extreme cases, these districts are not tied to geography, region, or administrative divisions and appear to be randomly distributed on the map at first glance.
North Carolina's 37th congressional district is one such district. Barr wrote on her website:
“District 37 is so gerrymandered that I have no chance. But if I'm going to lose, I might as well have some fun pointing out the consequences of gerrymandering. Come on in, loser. We (won't) make it to the Senate ”
Barr’s bio on her website is titled: “I’ve spent my whole life trying to lose this election. (…) These are the things I did without losing.” She also sells labels with the words “Him Damn Gerrymandering” sweater.
Expert: Politicians seek out voters, not the other way around
But why is this woman spending so much time, energy and money fighting a system that both parties have used for years and may continue to use for the time being? The mother of three writes about her political goals – women's abortion rights, a well-funded national education system and reasonable gun laws – on her website:
“We could achieve all of this in swing states like ours if we had a representative democracy instead of this politically tailored nonsense.”
The effects of gerrymandering are particularly stark in North Carolina: There are nearly as many Democrats as Republicans registered to vote.
However, this balance is not evident in the North Carolina Senate. Republicans have a solid majority here, with more than two-thirds of the seats. In 2013, courts struck down a more tailored version of districting. The reason: “This law excludes black voters from the democratic process with surgical precision.”
this Political scientist Sam Wang explained to CBS News that Republicans in North Carolina and Democrats in Illinois are currently choosing their voters, not the other way around.
Donald Trump and Mike Johnson: Republican districts clearly tailored to his needs.Image: trapezoid
In 2013, Wang analyzed that a total of 4.4 million voters were effectively disenfranchised due to gerrymandering: 4 million Democrats and 400,000 Republicans. Among other things, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Donald Trump ally, hails from a highly customized district in Louisiana.
Kate Barr: 'Every vote for me is a middle finger'
Wang explained that there are other, more democratic ways to define districts: In California, Arizona and Colorado, for example, citizen committees decide where the boundaries are. In Republican-dominated Ohio, there will be a vote this fall on establishing such a citizens' assembly.
North Carolina has no plans to make such a change — at least not yet. As long as nothing changes, Kate Barr wants to keep fighting, and as she explained to CBS News: “Every vote for me is a middle finger to the Republican Party.”
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(t-online/dsc)
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