Dr. Aric Gooch publishes his study of gerrymandering practices with Political Research Quarterly

The new article of Dr. Aric Dale Gooch “Congressional Redistricting and Strategic Copartisans: Partisan Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania, 1800–1824” was first published online by Political Research Quarterly (PRQ) on June 12, 2024. 

Dr. Gooch’s article analyzes the motives of early state legislators when they engaged in redistricting their states to elect US House members before the development of political parties with national organizations.

Dr. Gooch uses group-centered theory of party development to explain why these state legislators would engage in partisan gerrymandering during the American early republic. Specifically, he demonstrates the influence of partisanship on the redistricting process in Pennsylvania between 1800 and 1824 displaying the adept abilities of Democratic-Republicans in the state to limit Federalist representation during that period in the US House. 

Dr. Gooch’s findings highlight the important connection between state politics and national party politics during the first party era.

PRQ is a quarterly refereed journal published by the Western Political Science Association.

The article can be accessed here: Congressional Redistricting and Strategic Copartisans