The United States Supreme Court struck down a congressional district in Louisiana in a 6-3 vote on Wednesday, saying it relied too heavily on race. Justice Samuel Alito called the map an "unconstitutional gerrymander."
Now, Republican lawmakers and political candidates are jumping on the opportunity to call for a redrawing of Georgia's districts, something that could have a significant impact on the November midterm elections, as the Republican Party holds a slim majority in the U.S. Congress.
Representative Brian Jack (R), who represents Georgia's 3rd Congressional District, said the court ruling "motivates Louisiana to redistrict, and it certainly could draw other districts in certain parts of the country into question."
Florida's new congressional map, which could have big benefits for the Republican Party, passed in the state legislature on Wednesday, also received a major boost from the Supreme Court ruling. The Republican majority in the House of Representatives could gain two or three seats if Florida's redistricting plans are passed.
Some politicians are calling for the same in Georgia, including a number of candidates vying for the top spot in the Republican primary.
Although Rep. Jack is still reviewing the Court's opinion, he said he is eager to test whether Georgia's districts align with the Court's findings.
"Ultimately, this is what our framers intended," Rep. Jack said in an interview with Dome Politics. "I'm excited to see what comes next."
Jack also said that it's very clear that the specific district in Louisiana considered by the Supreme Court was clearly unconstitutional.
"It's certainly is something we got to look to across the Southeast and some of these other districts to ensure that the standards, the 6-3 court laid out, are met," Jack said. "And if they're not met then I think states need to think about what comes next."
This comes as the top two Republican gubernatorial candidates, Rick Jackson and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, called for a redrawing of Georgia's districts.
