Georgia Republicans backtrack on redistricting plans

Georgia lawmakers will not redraw the state’s political maps this month after GOP Gov. Brian Kemp called them into a special session to do so.

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.

Following a major Supreme Court ruling on redistricting this spring, Kemp asked the Republican-led Legislature to consider new congressional and state legislative of the 2028 election, since the 2026 election is already underway.

But on Wednesday afternoon, state Republican legislative leaders said they would not take up redistricting in the current special session.

“When the House learned that it was placed on the call for a special session, we knew it was not the right path forward for our state at this time. We believe that it is important to do things the Georgia way — responsibly, transparently, and with ample opportunity for public input,” said House Speaker Jon Burns in a press conference at the state Capitol flanked by colleagues.

Still, Republican leaders suggested they could revisit the issue ahead of the 2028 election cycle.

“Because any changes to our current congressional or legislative districts would not go into effect until 2028, we believe it is prudent to take the appropriate and necessary time to do this important duty the right way and not to rush through it,” said Republican state Senate President Pro Tempore Larry Walker III.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday that some Republicans feared a redistricting push months out from competitive Senate and governor’s races a could backfire and mobilize Democrats in the battleground state.

To draw new maps next year or in 2028, Republicans will need to maintain full control of state government after this year’s midterms. With Kemp retiring, billionaire businessman Rick Jackson won the GOP primary runoff in the governor’s race on Tuesday over Lt Gov. Burt Jones, who was backed by President Donald Trump. Jackson will face former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.

Trump has urged GOP-led southern states to enact congressional maps in the wake of a Supreme Court decision that has paved the way for the dismantling of majority-Black seats held by Democrats that were once protected by federal law.

Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee all implemented redrawn maps in time for this year’s elections, when control of the House is up for grabs. Other states, like Mississippi, have their sights set on the next election cycle for redistricting.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers in South Carolina and Indiana have balked at redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections, earning condemnation from the president and his allies.