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The liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom on Wednesday refused to listen to challenges introduced by Democrats looking for to throw out the battleground state’s present congressional district boundaries earlier than the 2026 midterms.
The selections, made with out rationalization from the courtroom, is a setback for Democrats who had hoped for brand spanking new, friendlier district boundary strains in Wisconsin as they try to win again management of the Home subsequent yr.
Democrats requested the courtroom to redraw the maps, which might have put two of the state’s six congressional seats presently held by Republicans into play. It was the second time in as a few years that the courtroom had refused to listen to the challenges.
Democrats hoped the courtroom would revisit the congressional strains after it ordered state legislative boundaries redrawn. Democrats then picked up seats within the November election.
“It’s good that Wisconsin has honest maps on the state stage, however we deserve them on the federal stage as effectively,” Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan mentioned. “Sadly, gerrymandered maps for members of Congress will stay in Wisconsin.”
Attorneys who introduced the lawsuits didn’t instantly reply to emails looking for remark.
Republicans maintain six of the state’s eight U.S. Home seats, however solely two of these districts are thought of aggressive.
Two requests to rethink the congressional boundaries have been filed with the courtroom, which is managed 4-3 by liberal justices. One got here from the Elias Legislation Group, which represents Democratic teams and candidates, and the opposite got here on behalf of voters by Marketing campaign Authorized Middle.
Democrats argued that the courtroom’s choice to redraw maps for state legislative districts a pair years in the past opened the door to revisiting maps for U.S. Home districts. Additionally they argued that the present map violates the state structure’s requirement that every one Wisconsin residents be handled equally.
In 2010, the yr earlier than Republicans redrew the congressional maps, Democrats held 5 seats in contrast with three for Republicans.
The present congressional maps, drawn by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, have been accredited by the state Supreme Courtroom when it was managed by conservative judges. The U.S. Supreme Courtroom in March 2022 declined to dam them from taking impact. And final yr the state Supreme Courtroom rejected a request to rethink the maps with out giving a cause as to why.
One of many seats that Democrats hope to flip is in western Wisconsin. Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden received an open seat in 2022 after longtime Democratic Rep. Ron Variety retired. Von Orden received reelection within the third District in 2024.
The opposite seat they’re eyeing is southeastern Wisconsin’s 1st District. Republican Rep. Bryan Steil has held it since 2019. The most recent maps made that district extra aggressive however nonetheless favor Republicans.
Wisconsin Watch is a nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom. Subscribe to our newsletters to get our investigative tales and Friday information roundup. This story is revealed in partnership with The Related Press.
