SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Lower than 24 hours after California voters authorised Proposition 50, efforts to dam the state’s new congressional maps are already underway.
A bunch of state Republicans filed a federal lawsuit towards Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sec. of State Shirley Weber on Wednesday, arguing the maps are unconstitutional. Assemblymember David Tangipa, R-Fresno, referred to as the method “a sham.” Attorneys for the plaintiffs allege the district traces had been drawn to favor Latino voters, citing statements from a marketing consultant concerned within the course of.
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“We’ve statements from their chief marketing consultant saying the very first thing I did was to extend Latino voting energy,” mentioned Mike Columbo, a accomplice at Dhillon Regulation Group. “The map is designed to favor one race of California voters over others.”
Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom, mentioned the governor’s workplace has not reviewed the lawsuit but however was fast to slam the trouble.
“If it is from the California Republican Get together and Harmeet Dhillon’s regulation agency, it’ll fail. Good luck, losers,” Richards mentioned in an announcement to ABC Information.
Paul Mitchell – whose agency Redistricting Companions was employed to attract the maps – defended the brand new traces in a Wednesday interview with ABC7 Information.
“Most voters in California, 80 %, will get up this morning and be in the identical district,” Mitchell mentioned. He argued Republicans’ frustration stems from marketing campaign missteps, not the maps themselves. “They went darkish the final 10 days however then had all this power ultimately to come back out with a lawsuit,” he mentioned.
Authorized consultants say the problem faces steep odds. “It is a excessive burden to fulfill to indicate that race was the predominant consider drawing district traces,” mentioned Rick Hansen, a UCLA regulation and political science professor. He added that timing is one other hurdle: “The Supreme Court docket has mentioned repeatedly that federal courts shouldn’t change election guidelines within the interval near the election.”
In the meantime, some Republican incumbents are weighing their choices. U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin – whose district can be break up six methods beneath the brand new map – advised reporters that he’s uncertain the place he’ll run subsequent. “I do not know the place I am working, I do not know the place different persons are working,” Kiley mentioned.
For months, Kiley has pushed a invoice to ban mid-decade redistricting nationwide, which might nullify all maps adopted this 12 months. “It would not be justified even in the event you may obtain a partisan benefit,” he mentioned. Up to now, GOP leaders haven’t publicly backed the measure.
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