Louisiana governor approves House maps with second black-majority district

Republicans in 2022 approved a set of maps with a single black-majority district, overriding the veto of then-Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in the process. That slate did not survive legal scrutiny, however, resulting in the new maps.

By Ben Whedon

Published: January 22, 2024 8:53pm

Louisiana GOP Gov. Jeff Landry on Monday signed into law a new slate of congressional district maps that included a second black-majority district, setting a difficult reelection campaign for incumbent GOP Rep. Garret Graves.

Landry's signature followed the legislature on Friday approving the slate, pursuant to a court order. Republicans in 2022 approved a set of maps with a single black-majority district, overriding the veto of then-Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in the process. That slate did not survive legal scrutiny, however, resulting in the new maps.

"I just signed SB 8, HB 16, and HB 17 into law," Landry posted on X. Senate Bill 8 (SB 8) refers to the redistricting legislation, which he signed alongside amendments to the primary system.

"Today, we began the process of necessary structural change to our election system, allowing for a cleaner and simpler final ballot, and we took the pen out of the hand of a non-elected judge and placed it in the hands of the people," he said.

Under the redrawn maps, the 6th Congressional District, which Graves represents, will become a majority-black constituency. His potential defeat could prove decisive in the 2024 battle for control of the House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.