Dems Likely to Pick Up House Seat in Utah — as Judge Deals Major Blow to GOP’s Redistricting Hopes

Democrats in Utah have been served a major win after a judge rejected a redistricting map that favored Republicans in the state.

While weighing three different redistricting maps, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson selected “Map 1,” created by the League of Women Voters and Mormon Women for Ethical Government.

Judge Gibson chose this map, which was submitted by the League of Women Voters and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. (Fox 13)

Gibson rejected “Map C,” which was submitted by the state legislature, as an “extreme partisan outlier” that would favor Republicans, according to Fox 13.

“Map C fails in many ways to comply with Proposition 4,” Gibson wrote in her ruling. “First, Map C was drawn with partisan political data on display. Map C does not abide by Proposition 4’s traditional redistricting criteria “to the greatest extent practicable.” And, based on the evidence presented, the Court finds that Map C was drawn with the purpose to favor Republicans—a conclusion that follows from even S.B. 1011’s metric for partisan intent—and it unduly favors Republicans and disfavors Democrats.”

Judge Gibson rejected the legislature-submitted “Map C,” which she said favored Republicans. (Fox 13)

Democrats are now poised to pick up an extra House seat — given that “Map 1” includes a solidly-Democratic district in Salt Lake City.

Republicans were quick to attack Gibson’s late-night ruling, including State Senator Daniel McCay:

Rep. Matt MacPherson took it a step further, calling for Gibson’s impeachment:

Watch above via MSNBC.

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