Proposed 5-1 Louisiana Congressional Map (image courtesy of Louisiana Senate)
This afternoon, the State Senate passed a Congressional map with five Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning district. The vote was 27-10, straight down party lines. West Monroe Republican Jay Morris defended the map he created.
“These maps are drawn to maximize Republican advantage for the incumbent Republicans that we have in Congress at the present time,” Morris said.
The Louisiana Legislature is redrawing the Congressional map because the Supreme Court ruled the current map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, which means race cannot be the primary factor in drawing the district lines.
During questioning, New Orleans Senator Sidney Barthelemy II told Morris that since 80% of the Republican party is white, his map is also based on race, which is not allowed.
Barthelemy II: “You’re redistricting an area, based on the party, then the two collide. And now you are redistricting based on race.”
Morris: “I’m not redistricting on race. I’m redistricting on the basis of partisanship.”
Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson-Andrews says registered Republican voters only make up a third of the state, but yet the map is drawn so that the GOP has more than a super majority in the Louisiana House delegation.
Jackon-Andrews: “How do we justify 35.6% being registered Republicans, but Republicans holding 83% of the Congressional seats?”
Morris: “Because the majority of people tend to vote Republican.”
The Congressional map debate shifts to the House as the lower chamber will also have to approve the map before it is sent to the governor’s desk.
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