Assembly Republicans Push to Join Gerrymandering Lawsuit

Republicans who control the state Assembly are looking to join a federal lawsuit challenging GOP-drawn legislative boundaries. A dozen Democratic voters filed the suit three years ago – claiming lawmakers unconstitutionally drew the lines to consolidate partisan power. A three-judge panel ageed, but Attorney General Brad Schimel, who is defending the lines – appealed to the US Supreme Court.  

The high court ruled in June that the plaintiffs had no standing to sue on a statewide basis, but they have returned with a new lawsuit – adding more voters as plaintiffs. The Republicans moving to join the lawsuit say Schimel could lose re-election and a new attorney general could “change course” – but his Democratic challenger, Josh Kaul, has said he would do his job and defend the Republican boundaries.