Redistricting commissioner resigns, citing toxic atmosphere

A Democratic member of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission has stepped down. In a letter to Governor Jan Brewer, Jose Herrera said commission meetings have a toxic atmosphere, and said he had to defend himself despite a thorough and transparent record of the IRC’s work. Herrera also pointed to lawsuits targeting the commission’s most recent legislative and congressional maps, which were updated after the 2010 Census.

Tuesday, he resigned effective immediately.

A Democrat from Phoenix , Herrera was appointed by House Minority Leader Chad Campbell. A state commission has 30 days to come up with three possible replacements for Campbell to choose from.

By law, the Independent Redistricting Commission is made up of two Democrats, two Republicans, and an Independent chair.