House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday called on states across the country to redraw their congressional maps after the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's second majority-Black district as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Speaking to CNN's Manu Raju in the Capitol, Johnson argued that the high court's decision sets a precedent that should guide other states.
“The Supreme Court said that in Louisiana's case it was blatantly unconstitutional,” Johnson said. “And I think that principle applies, probably, in other states as well. And I assume that those governors and legislatures are looking at that closely. We want constitutional maps.” He added that states with unconstitutional maps should act before the 2026 midterm elections, calling it “not a controversial notion.”
The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais upheld a lower court's injunction barring the state from using the 2024 map, which included a second majority-Black district represented by Rep. Cleo Fields (D-La.). The decision did not strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) outright but narrowed its application. Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the conservative majority, described the ruling as an “update” to the provision. In dissent, Justice Elena Kagan, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, accused the majority of continuing the “demolition” of the VRA.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) and Attorney General Liz Murrill (R) said the ruling blocks the state from holding congressional elections under the current map. “We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State's office to develop a path forward,” they said in a joint statement. With primary elections set for May 16, Landry has reportedly discussed suspending the primaries to allow lawmakers to redraw the lines. In a post on X, the governor confirmed that Louisiana will revise its district boundaries before the 2026 midterms.
The decision has already sparked a wave of redistricting activity across the South. In Florida, the state legislature passed a new GOP-favored map on Wednesday, sending it to Governor Ron DeSantis (R) for approval. The map, which DeSantis championed, would shift the state's congressional delegation from a 20-8 Republican advantage to a commanding 24-4 edge. DeSantis-backed Florida redistricting map clears legislature, aims for 24-4 GOP edge.
President Donald Trump also weighed in on Thursday, revealing a “very good conversation” with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R) about redrawing that state's congressional maps. Tennessee currently has eight Republican House members and one Democrat, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), who represents most of Memphis. Trump posted on Truth Social that the effort “should give us one extra seat and help Save our Country from the Radical Left Democrats.”
The Supreme Court's ruling and subsequent calls for redistricting have intensified the battle for control of the House ahead of the 2026 midterms, with Republicans aiming to cement their majorities in states like Florida and Tennessee. Supreme Court ruling sparks new redistricting battles across Southern states.
