Yesterday, Arizona’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) voted 3-2 to offer the job of Executive Director to Brian Schmitt, who has worked as a Republican operative for his entire career. Schmitt has spent the last decade as Chief of Staff for conservative Phoenix City Councilmember Jim Waring. He is also listed on expense reports from the Republican National Committee in 2020 and 2018. This is the first time in the history of Arizona’s redistricting commission – three previous Executive Director hires – that the Executive Director selection was not a unanimous vote. 

“If the IRC wants a  truly independent and impartial redistricting process, they shouldn’t select the most partisan applicant to serve as the executive director. We call on Chair Neuberg and the Arizona commissioners to recommit to consensus building and for all future Commission hires to not have overtly partisan backgrounds,” said NDRC States Press Secretary Molly Mitchell. 

“The Commission should be working to hire diverse and qualified staff, and yesterday’s decision is a concerning step toward having the Commission be influenced by partisan officials,” continued Mitchell.

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