?It?s Not About the Maps, It?s About the Message? By Matt Walter, President of the Republican State Leadership Committee They say imitation is the sincerest form of ?attery. Within a week both the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) have issued new reports and launched new initiatives with a newfound understanding that the states matter, and they need to ?nally as Republicans have been doing for years invest time and resources to win at the state level before redistricting following the 2020 elections. This has clearly not been a priority for Democrats in recent cycles, and although they may think this is a step in the right direction, the Democrats are overlooking the larger problem: voters aren?t buying what they?re selling. In the 2014 elections, the Republican tidal wave didn?t end with reclaiming the US. Senate or growing our majority in the US. House of Representatives. The states saw the biggest wave when Republicans gained control of 69 of 99 state chambers, the most in Party history, ended four Democratic legislative supermajorities, and picked up four new supermajorities of our own, now totaling 38. We hold 31 lieutenant governor of?ces, 28 secretary of state of?ces, and elected 140 new women candidates and 41 new diverse candidates as we continue working to have elected officials who better represent the electorate. This did not happen by accident, and as the post-election autopsy notes, the success at the state level ?is a byproduct of more than 30 years of organizing, fostering talent and signi?cant ?nancial investments at the state and local level.? But aside from the investments and infrastructure Republicans have built, we win because we have the right message. Voters get a front row seat to see how effective their state leaders are, and across the country they are embracing our new, small, smart government approach that allows businesses to thrive and Americans to succeed. Democrats? divisive message promoting unpopular liberal policies has not been successful under President Obama in Washington, and voters in states know it won?t work on the local level either. Both the DNC in their autopsy and the DLCC through their Advantage 2020 Super PAC stress that they need to make improvements in the states in time for 2020 redistricting in order to have a greater say in the process. They acknowledge that the massive defeat they faced across the board in 2010 ?w including Republicans ?ipping 21 state chambers and controlling more seats than any time since 1928 led to Republicans having a stronger say in that year?s redistricting process. But they are overlooking one point: the Republican landslide of 2010 occurred before maps were redistricted and occurred because voters rejected liberal policies at the ballot box. Two years of complete Democrat control in Washington that brought growth in government, more focus on a top-down approach from the White House, and worst of all, ObamaCare, was enough in 2010 for Republicans to win no matter what the maps looked like. Republicans are continuing to win not only because of maps but because of a message and messengers that resonate with voters. Voters exhausted from two years of complete Democrat control in Washington that brought ObamaCare, bigger government, and more focus on a top-down approach from the White House was enough for Republicans to win no matter what the maps looked like. Republicans are continuing to win because of a message and messengers that resonate with voters. This is not to downplay the importance of redistricting and its role in elections. At the Republican State Leadership Committee, our redistricting initiative REDMAP is dedicated to ?ghting for fair district lines that ensure conservative voices are well represented. And like we did before, we will work ?illtime to ensure we are strongly represented nationwide in 2020 for the next round of redistricting. Republicans have long understood that government closest to the people makes the most important decisions that have the greatest impact on its citizens. Democrats? newfound interest in state?level politics and policies seems to have nothing to do with helping families and everything to do with their old desires to use the federal government in Washington to direct and constrain people?s lives. In the end, it?s simply about having a clear vision for a better future and an effective strategy to share that vision with voters. Democrats' slick plan to rig the game won?t work. People deserve more, and Democrats should know better. ?It?s Not About the Maps, It?s About the Message? By Bill McCollum, Chairman of the Republican State Leadership Committee, Former Florida Attorney General and US. Congressman They say imitation is the sincerest form of ?attery. Over the past month both the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) have released new reports and initiatives ?nally acknowledging that the states matter, and they need to as Republicans have been doing for years invest time and resources to win at the state level. Meanwhile, the liberal State Innovation Exchange is huddling in Washington with the Obama Administration and progressive leaders Elizabeth Warren and Center for American Progress to brainstorm ways to advance progressive legislation in the states. All of these efforts are on a tight deadline to push liberal candidates and policies before redistricting occurs after the 2020 elections. Unlike Republicans, engaging and winning at the state level has not been a priority for Democrats in recent cycles, and although they may think these organized efforts are a step in the right direction, Democrats are overlooking the larger problem: voters aren?t buying what they?re selling. In the 2014 elections, the Republican wave didn?t end with reclaiming the U. S. Senate or growing our majority in the US. House of Representatives. In the states, Republicans gained control of 69 of 99 state chambers, the most in Party history, ended four Democratic legislative supermajorities, and picked up four new supermajorities of our own, now totaling 38. We control 31 lieutenant governor and 28 secretary of state seats, and elected 140 new women and 43 new diverse candidates as we continue working to elect leaders who better re?ect the diversity of our natlon. Republicans have spent decades building and investing in our state-level infrastructure, but that?s not why we win. We win because we have the right message. With Republicans in state office, voters get a front row seat to see how effective their leaders are, and across the country they are embracing our open, smart government approach that allows businesses to thrive and Americans to succeed. Democrats? divisive message promoting unpopular liberal policies has not been successful under President Obama in Washington, and voters in states know it won?t work on the local level either. The DNC, DLCC and stress that they need to make advancements in the states through liberal policies or candidates in time for 2020 redistricting in order to have a greater say in the process. Democrats know the massive defeat they faced across the board in 2010 including Republicans ?ipping 21 state chambers led to Republicans having a stronger say in that year?s redistricting process. But they are overlooking one point: the 2010 wave occurred before maps were redistricted and occurred because voters rejected liberal policies at the ballot box. Two years of complete Democrat control in Washington that brought ObamaCare, growth in government, and more focus on a top?down approach from the White House was enough for Republicans to win no matter what the maps looked like. Republicans are continuing to win because of a message and messengers that resonate with voters. This is not to downplay the importance of redistricting and the role it has in elections. In fact, at the Republican State Leadership Committee, our redistricting initiative REDMAP is dedicated entirely to Republican redistricting efforts, ?ghting for fair district lines to ensure conservative voices are well represented. And like we did before, we will again be working fulltime to ensure we are strongly represented nationwide in 2020 for the next round of redistricting. What happens in politics at the state level has the greatest impact on people?s lives. Republicans have long understood that government closest to the people makes the best decisions about how best to educate our children, control business and property taxes, provide affordable energy, and ensure ef?cient, safe roads and bridges. Democrats? newfound interest in state?level politics seems to have nothing to do with helping families and everything to do with their old desires to use the federal government in Washington to direct and constrain people's lives. In the end, it's simply about having a clear vision for a new, open future and an effective strategy to share that vision with the voters. The Democrats' slick DC plan to rig the game won't work. People deserve more, and the Democrats should know better.