Dec 8, 2007 -- National Journal: Political Stripes
By: Kellie Lunney

A former Capitol Hill aide is leading a widespread effort to reform the oft-controversial process of congressional redistricting. Pam Pryor, a freelance communications consultant for groups ranging from Habitat for Humanity to Convoy of Hope, will be the project director for Americans for Redistricting Reform. The initiative, bankrolled by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and supported by a broad coalition of groups including the Campaign Legal Center and AARP, will officially launch in early 2008, probably after the February presidential primaries, Pryor says. "It's just hard to get people to pay attention right now."

Pryor worked for then-Rep. J.C. Watts , R-Okla., during his eight-year stint on Capitol Hill, eventually becoming chief of staff in his personal office and at the House Republican Conference. Her congressional experience familiarized her with redistricting. "It's an awful process. There's lots of horse-trading, and someone is always unhappy." The primary goal of Americans for Redistricting Reform, she says, is to educate voters about redistricting and help those in decision-making positions make smart -- and fair -- decisions in redrawing political maps. The group is looking first to the 2011-12 redistricting, but Pryor says it's likely that the effort will extend further into the future. "Some people have said, 'Why don't we look past 2020 when nobody's ox will be gored?' "

Pryor, 55, served as vice president of government relations for the now-defunct We Care America , a faith-based nonprofit. The Denver native graduated from Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma .