The new state legislative maps are a testament to progress, but also the need for greater reform.

More than 6,000 proud Pennsylvanians commented, drew maps and rallied their communities to suggest changes and improvements to the Legislative Redistricting Commission preliminary maps.

The Lehigh Valley contributed a significant share of those comments, a tribute to our grassroots organizing and passion for protecting democracy and fair elections.

We epitomized democracy and we should be proud of that.

I commend Chairman Mark Nordenberg for one of the most transparent and open participatory redistricting sessions in recent history.

We have House and Senate seats that are overall more balanced and reflective of the state’s partisan divide.

In the Lehigh Valley, Allentown will have additional representation in Harrisburg in both the House and Senate.

Overall, the maps are certain to yield more fair election results statewide and, hopefully, contribute to an end to the gridlock and division that have defined our state politics for too long.

However, there is much to be disappointed about, and furthermore to be alarmed about, especially the increasing hostility directed toward the electoral system.

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-171st, and the House Republicans consistently attempted to undermine, discredit, and attack the credibility and integrity of the commission and its maps.

The Republicans have put forth House Bill 2207, which would actually make the problem worse by setting up a sham “citizen’s commission” but leaving the real power in the hands of the majority party in each chamber of the General Assembly to undo the hard work of the commission so that they can redraw their districts for personal political gain.

In the most egregious and flagrant partisan gerrymander, Sen. Kim Ward, R-39th, drew Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, out of Allentown by carving out a narrow sliver around his house ensuring he would be in a more favorable district.

Redistricting should never be about protecting incumbents or interparty trades to create more desirable seats for elected officials.

Democracy, and the districts that make it possible, belong to the people and the people alone.

The redistricting process, while improved, is still fundamentally broken.

This year highlighted why we need a truly independent redistricting commission that would guarantee that the public chooses their leaders, not the other way around.

Moving forward, the Lehigh Valley has a new state Senate seat without an incumbent with the 14th District.

This is a chance for us to strengthen our representation in Harrisburg, but it’s also a chance for us to be mindful of the type of leaders we send.

Pennsylvanians, like all Americans, are hurting.

Rising costs in health care, housing, education and child care are crushing working families.

Rising GDP and declining unemployment are hollow measures when wages are low and expenses are high.

We risk being out of touch with people until we acknowledge that.

We don’t need Republican-lite Democrats who prop up the status quo, and who take money from oil/natural gas companies while our planet burns or from health care PACS while medical bills mount or from Comcast while our families go without broadband.

Republican-lite Democrats who operate as allies of convenience for the Republican Party, failed to offer any formal resistance toward the demise of democracy.

Allentown and Lehigh County elected officials were silent, putting forth no resolutions or official statements condemning partisan gerrymandering.

Democracy is not a spectator sport, but local elected Democrats-In-Name-Only sat on the sidelines because silence benefits the system they profit from.

Tara Zrinski, currently a Northampton County councilwoman, is the perfect candidate to help save our earth and our democracy.

She has experienced pain and hardship and is one of the most empathetic people I know.

Should she choose to run for the 14th District, I will be giving her my full support.

She’ll speak to urban and rural workers who want more reliable and consistent public transit.

She’ll help address rising rents and low-quality housing.

She’ll stand with workers suffering from low-wages and against employers who steal wages owed to workers.

Above all else, she’ll work for the people, not the powerful, who feel that the government is unconcerned and incapable of helping.

Tara is a tireless advocate for working people, an advocate for addressing climate change and a proven legislative leader on the Northampton County Council.

I can think of no better champion to represent the district.

I’m urging her to get into this race. The Lehigh Valley and our democracy needs her.

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Editor’s note: Mark Pinsley is the Lehigh County controller and a state Senate candidate.