While the map is likely to pass the GOP-controlled state House, it's unclear whether it has the votes to pass the Republican-controlled state Senate, where GOP lawmakers have slammed Trump's effort and subsequent pressure campaign that's led multiple lawmakers to receive death threats and attacks.
For example, Republican state Sen. Michael Bohacek on Friday said he will vote against any gerrymandering effort, pinning his opposition to a comment Trump made in which he called Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz "seriously retarded."
"This is not the first time our president has used these insulting and derogatory references and his choices of words have consequences,” Bohacek, whose daughter has Down syndrome, wrote in a Facebook post. “I will be voting NO on redistricting, perhaps he [Trump] can use the next 10 months to convince voters that his policies and behavior deserve a congressional majority."
Meanwhile, Republican state Sen. Jean Leising said on Sunday she was the target of a bomb threat due to her opposition to the gerrymander, but she said it will not change her stance on the effort.
“Unfortunately, my house was the target of a pipe bomb threat on Saturday evening,” she wrote in a post on X. “This is a result of the D.C. political pundits for redistricting. Thanks to the Oldenburg Town Marshall, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the ISP, all is okay!”
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