The congressional redistricting that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry supports in the special session, Senate Bill 8, received state senate approval Wednesday.
It makes drastic changes to Congressman Garret Graves’s district and the Baton Rouge Republican is not happy about it. The proposal would make the sixth district the second Black majority district and it extends from Baton Rouge to Caddo Parish.
“But what I think is most important is focusing on what’s best for Louisiana. And there is no consideration where this map is in the best interests of the State of Louisiana,” said Graves.
Graves points out that the congressional map passed by a two-thirds majority in the legislature two years ago has not been through what’s called a merits trial, to determine if it violates redistricting principles or not.
“Why you would step out and draw a different map right now when a court has not been given the benefit of a merits trial to determine specifically whether this complies with redistricting principles or not seems incredibly premature,” said Graves.
Graves also wonders why the Republican-controlled legislature would just roll over without fighting for the current map and accept the proposed map in Senate Bill 8 because it would weaken the GOP majority in the US House.
Another issue Graves pointed out was that the proposed congressional district doesn’t represent a region perse and that a representative is more effective when they have a specific community to focus on versus an area that stretches across multiple regions.
While presenting Senate Bill 8 in committee, Catahoula Parish Senator Glen Womack said the map’s boundaries assure Congresswoman Julia Letlow, who serves on US Appropriations and Agriculture committees remains unimpaired by any other congressional incumbents…
“And in a congressional District that should continue to elect a Republican to Congress for the remainder of this decade,” said Womack.
Because of the geographical makeup of the state’s Black population, Womack said this particular map creates two Black-majority districts; District 2 represents minorities in New Orleans, and District 6, includes minorities in Baton Rouge and extends to include Blacks in Shreveport. He said this map also ensures Letlow will remain in Congress and…
“Maintains strong districts for Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise. Ensuring four Republican districts and adhering to the command of the federal court and middle district of Louisiana,” said Womack.
U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick issued an end-of-the-month deadline for lawmakers to redraw the state’s Congressional map with two Black-majority districts.
Senate Bill 8 passed by a vote of 27-11.
