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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
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A Publication of Guidry News Service |
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas has upheld the redistricting plan approved by a special session of the Texas Legislature. "We hold that the plaintiffs have failed to prove that the state statute prescribing the lines for the 32 congressional seats in Texas violates the United States Constitution or fails to comply with Chapter 2 of the Voting Rights Act," said the opinion. "We also reject plaintiffs' argument that the Texas Legislature lacked authority to draw new districts after a federal court drew them following the 2000 census." The opinion says that the court decides only the legality of the plan, not its wisdom. "Whether the Texas Legislature has acted in the best interest of Texas is a judgment that belongs to the people who elected the officials whose act is challenged in this case." "I am disappointed, but not surprised by today's court ruling. Tom Delay was committed to disrupting the Texas Congressional Districts and their communities, and at this point it looks like he has succeeded. However, this decision will be immediately appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court," said United States Representative Nick Lampson. "I will make an announcement regarding my plans prior to the filing deadline on January 16," Lampson concluded. "In response to the many people who have been asking me if I'm going to run against Tom Delay, I will tell them this - anybody that is going to run in any of these districts is running against Tom Delay."
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