The GOP vs Wingnut Redistricting War in Kansas
“We are now proceeding on the litigation track because we have no other choice,” Kobach said during his news conference. “We will be asking the federal court to act with unusual and extraordinary speed.”
But Kobach said that if lawmakers can finish their work on redistricting this week, “This case can still be rendered moot.”
“I fervently hope that they do complete this job, because this task does not belong in court,” he said. “Time is very short.”
The Republican senators’ battle over redistricting is part of a fierce struggle over which faction will control the chamber after this year’s elections. It’s also complicated by the involvement of the House, where GOP conservatives have a majority.
GOP conservatives believe the proposal before the Senate is designed to keep the chamber’s moderate Republicans in power and allow them to check conservative Gov. Sam Brownback’s agenda. Many lawmakers believe alternatives offered by conservatives aim to help them oust the Senate’s current leaders.
The bill would draw three conservative Republican candidates out of districts where they’re challenging incumbent GOP senators. The measure also puts conservative Republican Sens. Steve Abrams of Arkansas City and Ty Masterson of Andover in the same district.
As the Senate prepared for its debate, lawmakers differed about Kobach’s court filing, which came on the 95th day of the Legislature’s annual session, five more than its leaders scheduled.
“I think it’s clear that as long as the Legislature’s in session, there’s a still a possibility that there would be agreement on a map, and therefore, it’s not ripe for judicial determination,” said Sen