A recent Alabama redistricting ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) “allows Republicans to once again have a fair chance to compete,” according to State Sen. Pro-Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman).
SCOTUS struck down a 2023 federal court-ordered Alabama congressional map on Monday.
The ruling paves the way for Republicans in Alabama to likely pick up at least one congressional seat in the 2026 midterms. Republicans currently have a narrow majority in Congress, and redistricting battles are happening in multiple states across the nation. A special master hired by a three-judge panel in Birmingham redrew the map for the 2024 congressional elections after Democrats and liberal groups were successful in their initial redistricting legal challenge. The federal court-ordered map resulted in Democrats picking up one seat in Alabama, with U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) winning Congressional District 2.
“With its order, the U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the path for Alabama to hold free, open, and fair elections using the constitutional maps drawn by the Legislature rather than the unconstitutional maps forced upon the state by activist federal judges,” Gudger said in a statement on Monday. “The Supreme Court’s action removes the thumb from the scale in legislative and congressional elections and allows Republicans to once again have a fair chance to compete. As a result of the successful special session that was completed last week, our upcoming elections will more accurately reflect the principles, beliefs, and values that average Alabamians hold close, and our state will be in full compliance with the Louisiana v. Callais ruling.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
