Marc Elias Redistricting Map Picked by Virginia Court Could Flip Control to Dems

Elias's map picked from handful of proposals

Virginia judges picked a redistricting map this week supported by Democratic super lawyer Marc Elias that favors his party and could cost Republicans control of the House of Delegates in the state this year.

Elias, a partner at the Washington, D.C., office of the Perkins Coie law firm who recently signed on to act as the top lawyer for Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, in 2015 brought a redistricting lawsuit on behalf of a group of African Americans. Judges would rule that lawmakers had pushed them into 11 districts.

A series of redistricting proposals were submitted, and Elias's was ultimately selected by Virginia's Eastern District Court.

"In Virginia, the Federal Court in the long-running state house redistricting case has ordered the special master to adopt the alternative-map configuration we advocated," Elias said. "We are one important step closer to the end of the GOP's racial gerrymander."

Republicans currently hold a 51 to 48 advantage over Democrats in the state's House of Delegates and all 100 seats are up for election this year. The map could flip five to six districts currently held by Republicans, the Martinsville Bulletin notes.

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