Sewell, Aderholt react to newly drawn congressional maps

Members of the congressional delegation are reacting to the new maps drawn by the court-appointed special master Tuesday.

Special master Richard Allen submitted three congressional redistricting maps to the court this week. The new maps redraw the Second Congressional District 2 with Black voters comprising 48.5% to 50.1% of the voting-age population.

These maps will be used in the 2024 election as the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the State of Alabama’s emergency request to reinstate the map created by the Legislature during the 2023 special session.

U.S. Rep. Aderholt (R-Haleyville), who will lose counties from his district, released a statement saying that while he’s against the change, he admits this is the new “reality.”

“As I have said previously, the ruling seemed to be a case where the Court was speaking out of both sides of its mouth. They have said you can’t use race to draw district lines, but then said you must use race to draw district lines. Regardless, this seems to be the reality we are facing,” Aderholt said. “While I’m sorry that Etowah and Lawrence counties are not technically in the Fourth Congressional District, my door is always open to the people of both counties. I welcome Blount County back into the Fourth District and welcome the western portion of Lauderdale as a new part of the Fourth Congressional District.”

While I’m sorry that Etowah and Lawrence counties will not be in the Fourth District, my door is always open to the people of both counties. I welcome Blount County back into the district and welcome the western portion of Lauderdale as a new part of the Fourth District. pic.twitter.com/ULM3uvX5k5

— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) September 27, 2023

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) praised the new maps as keeping in line with the Voting Rights Act.

“Today, despite the relentless efforts by state officials to delay, obstruct, and defy, we are one step closer to having fair congressional maps in the State of Alabama,” Sewell said in a statement. “I applaud the special master for submitting three strong proposals which prove what we have long known to be true: the creation of two districts where Black voters can elect a candidate of their choice was possible from the very beginning.”

Sewell also said the Supreme Court made the right decision in denying Alabama’s request to keep the current map during the appeals process.

Another BIG win for Alabama's Black voters!!! ?????? https://t.co/HFjR7cQrl8

— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) September 26, 2023

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee