Racine Mayor Discusses Elections, Rail Service, and Gerrymandering

Racine, Wis (WRJN) In a full-ranging interview on The Don Rosen Show, Racine Mayor Cory Mason shared his insights on a variety of pressing topics, from Spring Primary election recaps to the future of train service in the region, and the contentious issue of gerrymandering.

Mayor Mason began by addressing the recent primary election, noting the disparities in voter turnout between the 4th and 2nd aldermanic districts in Racine. He pointed out the particularly low turnout in the 4th district compared to the higher engagement in the 2nd district, where incumbent Molly Jones saw significant support. Mason also highlighted the anticipation of increased voter participation in the upcoming general election in April, spurred by the presidential primary.

The conversation then shifted to the potential for enhancing rail connectivity between Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, and the Chicago Metro region. Mayor Mason expressed optimism about the KRM project, which has been buoyed by the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden. Mason said the project is different this time because of the emergence of private-public partnerships, saying the efforts present a promising avenue for realizing the long-held dream of establishing a robust rail corridor in one of the region’s most underserved areas. Mason underscored the transformative potential of improved rail systems, drawing parallels to the efficient networks in Europe and Japan, and emphasizing the benefits of easing traffic congestion, connecting communities, and opening up job opportunities.

The discussion took a turn towards the Mayor’s thoughts on gerrymandering and its impact on electoral competitiveness. Mason explained how redistricting has historically been manipulated to favor certain political outcomes, sharing his personal experience of representing a district that became significantly less competitive due to gerrymandering. He advocated for the creation of more competitive districts to ensure that voters have a real choice in elections. Listen to the full interview below. (starts at 2:14)