Southern Republicans press ahead with election-year redistricting of US House

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republicans in several Southern states pressed ahead with an aggressive election-year redistricting effort Wednesday to their plans to reshape congressional districts that have suddenly become vulnerable because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. 

In Tennessee, protesters repeatedly interrupted legislative hearings on the redistricting plans. Undeterred Republicans advanced them for a potential final vote Thursday. 

Republicans in the Alabama House approved a measure to upend the state’s congressional primaries if courts allow them to switch their U.S. House districts. 

The Supreme Court ruled last week that Louisiana relied too heavily on race when creating a second Black-majority House district as it attempted to comply with the Voting Rights Act. The ruling gives Republicans in Louisiana and elsewhere grounds to try to eliminate majority-Black districts that have elected Democrats. 

The ruling intensified an already fierce national redistricting battle ahead of a November midterm election that will determine control of the closely divided House. 

Texas was first to redraw its U.S. House districts last year, eight states have adopted new congressional districts. From that, Republicans think they could gain as many as 13 seats while Democrats think they could gain up to 10. But some of the new districts could be competitive in November, meaning the parties may not get all they sought. 

Tennessee plan splits up Memphis district 

Republicans on Wednesday proposed a new U.S. House map that would split Memphis’ home of Shelby County into three districts, instead of the current two. The map would break up Tennessee’s lone Democratic-held district, centered on the majority-Black city, creating a ripple effect of alterations to districts throughout the western and central parts of the state. 

“Tennessee is a conservative state, and our congressional delegation should reflect that. This bill ensures it does,” Republican state Sen. John Stevens said. 

Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton said the proposed districts were drawn based on population and politics, not racial data. 

Alabama House backs a new primary 

The Republican-led Alabama House on Wednesday passed legislation authorizing special congressional primaries as Republicans eye the possibility of getting a different congressional map in place for the November elections. The bill now moves to the state Senate. 

Alabama is seeking to lift a federal court order that created a second congressional district with a near-majority of Black voters. That map led to the 2024 election of Rep. Shomari Figures, a Black Democrat. Republicans want instead to use a 2023 map drawn by state lawmakers that would give the GOP an opportunity to reclaim Figures’ south Alabama district. 

South Carolina moves toward redistricting 

The South Carolina House on Wednesday approved a resolution giving lawmakers permission to return later, after their regular work ends, to redraw congressional districts that could eliminate the state’s only Democratic-held district. The proposal now goes to the Senate, where it would need a two-thirds vote. 

Republican House leaders said after the vote that they plan to introduce a new map Thursday and hold committee meetings on Friday. But during debate Wednesday.