Jewelry line highlights 'odd' congressional district shapes - The Hill (blog)
A new line of luxury bling is putting the “gerrymander” into jewelry, creating funky-looking pieces meant to resemble congressional districts.
The gold and silver necklaces and pins from Gerrymander are “shaped as some of the most oddly-drawn regions in the country,” according to the Democratic PAC OMG WTF, which created them and works to get Democrats elected at the state level.
Ever since the line was released, an OMG WTF (the name is derived from the states the group says it’s focused on: Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, Texas and Florida) spokeswoman says, interest has been “incredible” and sales for the $195 baubles have been coming in.
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Among the six gerrymandered jewelry options is “OH-1,” for Ohio’s 1st Congressional District.
“Like two pieces of a puzzle that don’t fit together, this necklace or pin features OH-1, which for no logical reason except to keep Republicans in office, tacks on the Republican-heavy Warren County,” a description for the pendant says.
Another item description reads: “If you’re feeling split on which beautiful shape to get, look no further than NC-6, the district that splits the largest historically black college into two districts.”
All money from sales of the gerrymandered jewelry — with custom congressional districts available by request — will go to the PAC, organizers say.
“Diamonds may be forever, but districts last a decade, so we hope these pieces communicate the urgency of electing governors who can veto congressional lines and ensure fairer districts in the decade after 2020,” OMG WTF founder Ben Sheehan said in a statement touting the jewelry line’s launch.
