A federal judge is now giving the Louisiana Legislature until January 30th to redraw the state’s congressional map to include a second majority-minority district. It’s a two-week extension from the previous deadline of January 15th. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this still presents a challenge for lawmakers.
“It’s going to be very difficult to come up with a map even in normal times much less come up with a map with all the politics and the bitterness it will probably create.”
Under Louisiana law, the earliest a special session can occur would be January 15th. Pinsonat says U.S. District Judge Shelley Dick should realize January 30th is not enough time.
“But you have to pay attention to a new legislature coming in. This is being dumped in their laps. Thirty-plus of them are freshmen and it takes time to come up with a solution on something like this.”
Dick has scheduled a February fifth trial date to hear the merits of the current map.
The Congressional districts of Republicans Julia Letlow and Garret Graves are most at risk, as a result of a new map.
Pinsonat says this leaves a supermajority of Republicans to redraw a minority seat that would benefit Democrats. He’s unsure if new lawmakers can create a second majority-black district.
“The majority is where the rub comes in. How many of a percentage of 50, 55, 54 so to create that is very difficult.”
Governor-Elect Jeff Landry and new lawmakers will be sworn in on January 8th.
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