Georgia Republicans 'retreating from a proposal that had threatened to ignite' a fight

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., March 20, 2026. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer

Gov. Brian Kemp (R-Ga.) called lawmakers back to the Capitol to attempt to redraw the congressional districts, a plot that Republican states have used over the past several months to try to stack the deck for the GOP in the midterm elections. But lawmakers in Georgia simply gave up.

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported on Wednesday that they will not redraw the lines after all, "retreating from a proposal that had threatened to ignite one of the state’s most explosive political fights ahead of the November election."

There has been pressure from Democrats and voting rights groups for extensive litigation. Meanwhile, "uneasy Republicans" cautioned that such partisan redistricting could motivate Democratic voters who are already winning special elections in deep red parts of the country.

In Indiana, Republicans argued that redrawing the lines could hurt them because when they did the last round of redistricting, they told voters they were "fair maps" and “will serve Hoosiers well for the next decade.” Redrawing them would mean they'd repudiate their own previous work, wrote Professor Robert Dion for the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Unlike in the Indiana conflict, Georgia had already held its primary election. So anyone who bucked Trump's demands would not face the same danger that Indiana Republicans did.

House Speaker Jon Burns, a Republican, told Kemp in a letter that the existing lawsuits over the 2021 maps gave him pause and that the renewed redistricting push should probably not be as rushed as it was in other states.

“Changes to Georgia’s maps should take place only when members of the General Assembly and citizens have been given ample opportunity to gather the facts, provide input, and engage in meaningful discussion,” Burns wrote in the letter. “For this reason, we will not be taking up congressional or legislative redistricting for the 2028 election cycle during this special session.”

All members of the George House Republican leadership signed onto the letter, as did the Senate Pro Temp, Larry Walker. The Senate, Walker said, made it clear that the caucus stands "united" in the opposition to mid-decade redistricting.

Kemp and other Republicans weren't happy about the move, as Trump had called on red states to deal with it before the elections.

“I do not believe there is reason to delay the apportionment process, especially with the legislature already convening,” Kemp said. “Legislative districting, however, is the responsibility of the General Assembly, and it is within their discretion to defer the issue until a later date.”

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones similarly called on the House to redraw the lines immediately. He was Kemp's pick for the GOP nominee in the governor's race, while Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) had Trump's endorsement. Jones lost in the Tuesday vote.

“I stand behind the governor’s plan to redraw the maps during this special session,” Jones said. “Failure to deliver is not an outcome I am willing to accept. We need to do our jobs and get this done.”

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