A controversial redistricting plan by Louisiana Republicans, passed on Friday, will dissolve one of the state’s two Democratic, majority-Black House districts just ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
The legislation has been forwarded to Republican Governor Jeff Landry, who is anticipated to sign it into law.
This redistricting effort follows a Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the Voting Rights Act, enabling Louisiana to reconfigure its majority-minority districts. This move mirrors similar gerrymandering activities in other Republican-led southern states, such as Tennessee.
The approval of this new map marks a significant triumph for Landry and former President Donald Trump, furthering Republican advances through the current redistricting cycle.
Representative Cleo Fields’ (D-La.) district has been entirely removed from the new map, while Representative Troy Carter’s (D-La.) predominantly Democratic district has been redrawn to closely resemble the area he secured in the 2022 elections.
Fields’ district previously extended from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, whereas Carter’s was primarily centered around New Orleans.
To implement the map in time for this year’s midterms, Landry exercised his executive power by declaring a state of emergency, subsequently canceling the May primary elections for House races. This decision has incurred substantial financial costs and caused significant confusion. The House primaries in Louisiana will now occur on November 3, with any required runoffs taking place in December.
Not all Republicans in Louisiana’s congressional delegation are content with the new boundaries. Representative Clay Higgins (R-La.) recently described it as a “Frankenstein looking thing,” alleging it was concocted by “a very small handful of guys in a secret room.”
Higgins’ comments were noted by state lawmakers during the House chamber’s approval of the map on Thursday. Edmond Jordan, Chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and a Democrat, remarked humorously on the House floor, saying “hell has frozen over” due to his agreement with Higgins.
Louisiana’s single-seat gain contrasts with other states like Georgia and South Carolina, which have opted not to engage in redistricting or have postponed it until the 2028 cycle. The redistricting wave began last summer in Texas and has since extended to ten states, some of which are still entangled in legal battles.
Legal challenges are almost certain to arise in Louisiana, potentially from the same plaintiffs involved in Louisiana v. Callais, who argue that the state’s remaining Black-majority district is unconstitutional.
Aaron Pellish contributed.
