Thirty-three Libertarian candidates for the General Assembly, including the 14 running in Wake, pledged today to support a nonpartisan redistricting process if elected. “Like the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians, we believe that voting maps should be drawn in a fair and impartial way that protects the freedom of voters to hold their government accountable and to have a say in who represents them,” the candidates said in a statement.

The platform of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina calls for “a redistricting process conducted by an independent, nonpartisan agency for all local, state, and federal districts. The process should be open and transparent. It should involve significant public input with the opportunity for citizens to weigh in on proposed district maps.”

Here is the full text of the candidates’ joint statement:

“North Carolina's redistricting process allows whichever party controls the legislature to draw our congressional and legislative voting maps.

“The result: gerrymandered districts that unfairly favor one party or the other, which in turn leads to a lack of competition in our elections and no real voice for voters at the ballot box.

“Both parties have indulged in gerrymandering to benefit their own side and our democracy has suffered for it. It's time for real reform.

“Like the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians, we believe that voting maps should be drawn in a fair and impartial way that protects the freedom of voters to hold their government accountable and to have a say in who represents them.

“We, the undersigned, Libertarian candidates for General Assembly pledge to sponsor or support a nonpartisan independent redistricting process in North Carolina.”

Tim Harris, Senate 2
Jesse Shearin, Senate 4
Anthony Mascolo, Senate 8
Ethan Bickley, Senate 9
Richard Haygood, Senate 14
Brian Lewis, Senate 15
Brian Irving, Senate 16
Bruce Basson, Senate 17
Brad Hessel, Senate 18
Jared Erickson, Senate 20
R. Michael Jordan, Senate 30
Mitchell Bridges, Senate 43
Lyndon Smith, Senate 49
T. Lee Horne, House 3
Travis Groo, House 11
Joseph Sharp, House 18
David Perry, House 19
Nick Taylor, House 25
Walt Rabon, House 28
Matthew Wagoner, House 30
Erik Raudsep, House 31
Cap Hayes, House 34
Michael Nelson, House 35
Robyn Pegram, House 36
Guy Meilleur, House 37
Bobby Emory, House 38
Martin Matuszewski, House 39
David Ulmer, House 40
Jonathan Horst, House 49
Matthew Clements, House 56
Houston Barrow, House 65
Michael Finn, House 67
Steve Brenneis, House 91