Penn. all-in on district map spat
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Republican leaders of the Pennsylvania Legislature yesterday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a new congressional district map that is widely considered likely to give Democrats a boost in their quest to capture control of the U.S. House.
House Speaker Mike Turzai and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said the state’s highest court usurped legislative authority when it issued the new map on Monday, calling it an unprecedented decision.
The challenge adds uncertainty as candidates are preparing to circulate nominating petitions to get their names on the May primary ballot.
A spokesman for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, responding to the lawmakers’ filing, said Wolf was “focused on making sure the Department of State is fully complying with the court’s order by updating their systems and assisting candidates, county election officials and voters prepare for the primary election.”
Republicans said a separate challenge to the map in federal court in Harrisburg is also possible this week.
The Democratic majority on the state Supreme Court in January threw out a 2011 congressional district map that had been drafted by Republicans, saying it violated the state constitution’s guarantee of free and equal elections.
It is the third time in four months that Turzai and Scarnati have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to put a halt to litigation over the 2011 map they took leading roles in producing.
The 2011 version has been called one of the nation’s most gerrymandered congressional maps.