U.S. Rep. Garret Graves blasted the decision of Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and the Legislature to create a second majority Black congressional district by dismantling his 6th District as a “boneheaded move,” predicting the new map won’t hold and those who supported it will have “egg on their faces.”
He also criticized their decision to reshape future federal elections by moving to a closed party primary system, which he called “un-American.”
Landry’s spokesperson declined to comment on Graves’ assessment.
Graves, a Republican from Baton Rouge, said the new map supported by Landry and state lawmakers could cost Republicans their slim majority in the U.S. House if it stands and he loses his seat.
“In doing so (Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana) has a two-seat majority and they effectively just took one of those seats away voluntarily,” Graves said in an interview with USA Today Network. “What happens if that causes Republicans to lose the House?”
Still, Graves said he won’t stand down without a fight.