Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion Director Chris Borick says the map of Pennsylvania congressional districts in place for the last ten years was bad, but the one for the next ten years is even worse. “I think it is more Gerrymandered.  I think we will see measurably less competitive congressional districts, and that is something I feel strongly about, especially in a state that is by nature competitive.  It’s not that you have to manufacture competition.  You have to do something to get rid of competition, and I think that’s exactly what this map does.”

Doctor Borick says you don’t have to look very far to see how bad the new congressional district map is.  He says the worst example in the southeast is the Seventh District, represented by Republican Patrick Meehan, which snakes its way through parts of Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Berks Counties, with tentacles reaching out like an octopus.  He says both parties Gerrymander congressional and legislative districts when they are in power, but that doesn’t make it any better.