Commonwealth of Massachusetts releases proposed map for 9th Congressional District, SouthCoast and New Bedford

Moments ago, the legislature’s Special Joint Committee on Redistricting released a proposed redistricting map for the Massachusetts congressional districts. This proposal would retain the separation between New Bedford and Fall River, leaving the Southcoast region divided. Senator Montigny opposes this proposal and has offered the following statement:

“The proposal released this afternoon continues an unjust and inequitable division that dilutes our region’s collective voice,” said Senator Mark Montigny. “New Bedford and Fall River are post-industrial working-class cities with vibrant growing minority populations. We share many common economic interests such as offshore wind, commuter rail, and advanced manufacturing. Simply put, our interests do not align with affluent Boston-area suburbs or the South Shore.

Dividing our cities into separate congressional districts dilutes our collective voice and must not be allowed to continue. I will work aggressively in the Senate to unite New Bedford under one congressional district for the Southcoast region.”

Mass.gov photo.

The existing and proposed map can be accessed via the following link: https://malegislature.gov/Redistricting