Louisiana is a step closer to a new congressional map after the state Senate approved a plan Thursday that would eliminate one of the state’s two majority-Black districts, both held by Democrats.
The new map comes after the Supreme Court invalidated Louisiana’s current House map last month in a ruling that found the state had illegally used race to draw a second majority-Black seat last cycle — the 6th District, represented by Democratic Rep. Cleo Fields. That ruling has set off a wave of redistricting efforts targeting majority-Black seats across the South as Republicans seek every advantage in the fight for House control in this year’s midterm elections.
It also prompted Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, to delay the state’s House primaries, which were initially set for Saturday, to give state legislators time to redraw the map.
The state House still needs to consider the new plan. Under the new lines, Democrats would be favored in a New Orleans-based district, which would include a part of Baton Rouge. That seat would be similar to the one held by Democratic Rep. Troy Carter, while it’s not clear what Fields may do next. Republicans would have the advantage in the state’s other five House seats.
