While the political world has been focused on the Texas redistricting fight, other states are watching with a contingency on how or if the federal courts might intervene, especially with the Louisiana v. Callais still pending in the U.S. Supreme Court.
However, during an appearance on Huntsville radio WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) said if the court battles went a particular way, he could see the GOP-dominated Alabama Legislature moving to redraw congressional lines that would favor Republicans, which would be to the detriment of U.S. Reps. Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) and Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).
"Can you envision a scenario if all the rulings go the quote, 'right way,' end quote, where you could draw Terri Sewell out of her district?" host Dale Jackson asked.
"Oh, absolutely," Orr replied. "Look, politics will reign, and you've seen these districts, Dale, they're talking about Illinois and other Democratic blue states, and you've seen these districts that make no sense stringing together along interstate right-of-ways, which supposedly is illegal. I remember a North Carolina case of years ago where they went from basically Raleigh down to Charlotte, and made just a long district down the interstate rights-of-ways and stuff."
He added, "The Supreme Court said, no, you can't do that. But you look at these districts in Illinois and places, you got the same thing happening to the detriment of the Republicans."
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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