Dem
47
GOP
53
There wasn't enough time for Georgia to re-gerrymander its congressional map for 2026, but Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) promised to do it for 2028. Not so fast. Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns (R) sent Kemp a letter saying he wants to take his time and see what the best thing is for Georgia. That could take time, especially with multiple lawsuits pending all over. The governor has called a special session of the legislature to do the redistricting, but Burns said he won't take up redistricting this year. He said the legislature is more interested in doing things to help people deal with high prices. What he actually meant is that redistricting just before the midterms would inflame Democratic voters and cost the GOP both the Senate seat and the governorship. That's what he cares about.
This is another big setback for Kemp. First, his choice for the Senate, Derek Dooley, lost his runoff to Trumper Mike Collins. Second, his choice for governor, Burt Jones, lost his runoff to Rick Jackson. Now Kemp has called a special session for redistricting and the House speaker won't do it.
While 2028 is far in the future, getting three strikes right off the bat is not good in baseball, even if it is fine in bowling. Kemp clearly thinks there is a path to the White House for him in 2028, and he could yet be right, but losing control of the Republican Party in his own state is not a great start.
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), who preaches at Martin Luther King's church, compared the elimination of majority-Black districts to Jim Crow. He said the legislators who praise King on his birthday and then turn around and try to bring back Jim Crow may have the power to do that but he said: "But keep Dr. King's name out of your mouth." (V)