On Friday, Fox News Channel viewers got a dose of a debate regarding Alabama's reaction to the Louisiana v. Callais U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Last week, the Alabama Legislature moved to pave the way for the state to use a 2023 map that split Alabama's congressional districts into six Republican-leaning districts and one Democrat-leaning district.
That map was rejected by a federal court under Milligan v. Allen, resulting in the appointment of a special master who drew a new congressional map that split the state into five Republican-leaning and two Democratic-leaning districts.
However, after the Louisiana decision, the high court vacated Milligan's preliminary findings, allowing the legislature to act.
Earlier this week, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a proclamation for a special election on August 11 for congressional primaries in congressional districts 1, 2, 6 and 7.
During Fox News Channel's "The Will Cain Show," host Brian Kilmeade and Early Vote Action founder Scott Presler discussed Alabama's new map, with Presler pushing Alabama to consider a 7-0 map.
Partial transcript as follows:
BRIAN KILMEADE, GUEST HOST, FOX NEWS CHANNEL'S "THE WILL CAIN SHOW": Those are the things that Americans pretty much did not want her to do and most Democrats in the past did not want to do.
So where does redistricting stand right now? Here are the four states that could be deciding the control of Congress in '26, for example, in Alabama. Let's take a look. See how it's going to be a little bit more red? This is the proposed. That's the current after the ruling that happened in Louisiana.
See, much more red, but let's be honest, most of Alabama is red. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court cleared the way for a race-neutral map, giving Republicans the advantage. In Missouri, the state Supreme Court upheld a Trump-backed map adding a possible GOP pickup. You're seeing that right there.
So you will see a little bit more red there. Squeeze back. You will squeeze back in the pink. In Illinois, a legal challenge could force a redraw of the state's maps. It's the first big blue state facing the possibility. And then, of course, in Virginia, as you see over there in Illinois, look at this.
It was almost all blue. It was easy. At first, it was 50/50. Then it went all blue, and now it's sneaking back some red. So it recreated the balance of power. Now, in Virginia, the $70 million redistricting effort just blew up in their face because of the state Supreme Court, not the U.S. Supreme Court.
Conservative activist and Early Vote Action founder Scott Presler joins us right now.
So, Scott, the melting down is happening right now on the left. Did it catch you by surprise?
SCOTT PRESLER, FOUNDER, EARLY VOTE ACTION: When the Democrats show you who they are, Brian, believe them.
And it's so funny to say, Kamala Harris, that no idea is a bad idea. And I think that's emblematic of the Democrat Party. They're just mad that the Republicans are fighting back peacefully and using the very tools that they have used against us for decades.
We are fighting fire with a gosh darn flamethrower and they are desperate.
KILMEADE: So when you look at the seat pickup on redistricting, which likely to happen, what is the max Republicans could pick up?
PRESLER: Well, this is important for us to use our voice right now, that if Alabama is only going to do one seat and not two, that could be the difference maker on whether or not Republicans keep the majority.
I'd say call Governor Kay Ivey's office and your state senators and legislators. Call in Mississippi with Governor Reeves. Call in every other state to make sure that if we are not currently redistricting, that they redraw the maps based on the Louisiana v. Callais decision.
And even with the new maps that Governor Newsom is imposing in California, I'm certain that there are opportunities for us to claw back some of those seats as well.
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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