It’s been a historic week. Today, Donald Trump’s lawyers present their defense in the impeachment trial. But for Americans that have tuned in, the images and words of these last four days have told a chilling story.

As I watch many of my Republican colleagues try to justify a vote against conviction, I am saddened at how divided we have become. Throughout my years of public service I have always tried to work across the aisle wherever possible — and still do today. There have always been divisions and differences — but a dramatic change took place after the Tea Party Republicans came to Congress. These were individuals who felt their mandate was to STOP government, not to work for positive change. The election of Donald Trump took this division to a whole new dimension.

There are many reasons we got to this stage, but partisan gerrymandering is a big one.

Our partisan gerrymandering system ensures that in many districts an extremist candidate emerging from a primary election can win a seat in Congress because these are no longer ‘competitive’ districts in a general election. The only way to end this practice is to end it nationally.

Please join me in the fight to take federal action to end partisan gerrymandering on a national basis and help put our country and our democracy back on track. Click here if you agree >>

There is much work to be done. The 2020 election has given us a chance to strengthen our democracy and advance greater justice, equity and opportunity — and I will work around the clock to do that.

Thank you for your support and for being part of this fight.

Chris