US Supreme Court Upholds California's Democratic-Favoring Congressional Map, Deals Blow to Republicans' Midterm Hopes
In a significant ruling, the US Supreme Court has allowed California to use a new congressional map that significantly favors Democrats in this year's elections. The court rejected a last-ditch appeal from state Republicans and the Trump administration, effectively giving Democrats an edge in the November midterms.
The decision comes after President Donald Trump pressured Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional districts with an eye on gaining seats. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom promised to do the same, pledging to flip up to five Republican-held seats. The court's ruling means that these districts will remain largely unchanged for this year's elections.
Conservatives had argued that the new California map relied too heavily on racial demographics and would thus be considered discriminatory under federal law. However, a lower court ruled in their favor by a 2-1 margin, with one justice stating that both Texas and California had adopted new maps for political gain, which is not an acceptable basis for a federal lawsuit.
In the absence of this ruling, the Supreme Court has sided with Democrats, allowing them to maintain the status quo and potentially flip Republican seats. The court's decision comes as control of Congress hangs in the balance in the upcoming midterms.
California's Governor Newsom celebrated the court's decision on social media, stating that Trump had "started this redistricting war" and would ultimately lose out in the November elections. California's Attorney General Rob Bonta also welcomed the ruling, describing it as "good news not only for Californians but for our democracy."
The state Republican Party has yet to comment on the court's decision. However, one prominent party strategist, Jon Fleishman, noted that the ruling means Republicans will have an increasingly difficult time winning seats in California this year.
With primary elections set to begin on Monday, Democrats are now poised to make significant gains in California and potentially across the nation. The implications of this decision will be felt in November's midterms, when control of Congress is up for grabs.
In a significant ruling, the US Supreme Court has allowed California to use a new congressional map that significantly favors Democrats in this year's elections. The court rejected a last-ditch appeal from state Republicans and the Trump administration, effectively giving Democrats an edge in the November midterms.
The decision comes after President Donald Trump pressured Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional districts with an eye on gaining seats. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom promised to do the same, pledging to flip up to five Republican-held seats. The court's ruling means that these districts will remain largely unchanged for this year's elections.
Conservatives had argued that the new California map relied too heavily on racial demographics and would thus be considered discriminatory under federal law. However, a lower court ruled in their favor by a 2-1 margin, with one justice stating that both Texas and California had adopted new maps for political gain, which is not an acceptable basis for a federal lawsuit.
In the absence of this ruling, the Supreme Court has sided with Democrats, allowing them to maintain the status quo and potentially flip Republican seats. The court's decision comes as control of Congress hangs in the balance in the upcoming midterms.
California's Governor Newsom celebrated the court's decision on social media, stating that Trump had "started this redistricting war" and would ultimately lose out in the November elections. California's Attorney General Rob Bonta also welcomed the ruling, describing it as "good news not only for Californians but for our democracy."
The state Republican Party has yet to comment on the court's decision. However, one prominent party strategist, Jon Fleishman, noted that the ruling means Republicans will have an increasingly difficult time winning seats in California this year.
With primary elections set to begin on Monday, Democrats are now poised to make significant gains in California and potentially across the nation. The implications of this decision will be felt in November's midterms, when control of Congress is up for grabs.