October 26, 2021 4:30 a.m. 

Two lawsuits challenging the recently approved state legislative redistricting map were filed on Monday.

David Calderon and Gordon Culbertson are taking issue with the boundaries drawn for House District 12. The new map moves the precinct where State Representative Marty Wilde lives, into the district represented by Cedric Hayden. Wilde, a Democrat, said he is being punished for suggesting he might challenge incumbent State Senator Floyd Prozanski. Wilde currently represents House District 8.

Another lawsuit filed by former State Representative Patrick Sheehan and Samantha Hazel, claims the boundaries were made to protect the interests of incumbent lawmakers.

House Republican Leader Christine Drazan released a statement in response to the challenge. Drazen said, “State law is clear, gerrymandering is cheating. Oregon Democrats created a state legislative map that protects incumbents and punishes those who spoke out against their partisan power play”. Drazan said the legal action is an opportunity for Oregonians to get fair legislative maps.