Georgia GOP Leaders Abandon Controversial Redistricting Plans

WHO:

CNN - Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, Governor Brian Kemp, President Trump, Senate Pro Temp Larry Walker, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.)

Alternet - House Republican leadership in Georgia, voting rights groups, Democrats

NBC News - Georgia Republicans

WHAT:

CNN - House Speaker Jon Burns stated, “It was more important for lawmakers to focus on economic matters rather than ‘partisan games.’”

Alternet - Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed his disappointment, stating, “I stand behind the governor’s plan to redraw the maps during this special session. Failure to deliver is not an outcome I am willing to accept. We need to do our jobs and get this done.”

CNN - Republican legislative leaders in Georgia announced they will not redraw the state’s political maps during the special legislative session, marking a retreat from a proposal that could have sparked significant political conflict ahead of the November election.

Alternet - House Speaker Jon Burns stated in a letter to Governor Brian Kemp that the existing lawsuits over the 2021 maps gave him pause, emphasizing that changes to Georgia’s maps should only occur after ample opportunity for public input and discussion.

The Washington Post - The decision by Georgia Republican leaders to abandon the redistricting plan was described as a temporary rebuff to pressure from Trump to redraw congressional districts to benefit the GOP.

CNN - Republican legislative leaders did not rule out revisiting redistricting later this year.

Alternet - House Speaker Jon Burns stated, “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.”

Alternet - The Senate Pro Temp, Larry Walker, indicated that the caucus stands "united" in opposition to mid-decade redistricting.

CNN - The decision to not redraw districts was described as a setback for both Governor Brian Kemp and Trump, who had urged Republican-led states to redraw congressional districts to their advantage.

CNN - The decision by Georgia Republican legislative leaders to not redraw congressional or legislative districts during the special session was described as a setback for both Governor Brian Kemp and Trump.

CNN - Ten states have already enacted new congressional districts ahead of the November midterm elections, with Georgia being the first state that would have changed districts for the 2028 elections.

Alternet - Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed his disappointment, stating, “Failure to deliver is not an outcome I am willing to accept. We need to do our jobs and get this done.”

CNN - Georgia Republican legislative leaders rejected Governor Brian Kemp’s call to redraw congressional and legislative districts during a special session.

CNN - The decision was announced as demonstrators filled the Georgia Capitol with chants of “Black voters matter!”

CNN - Lawmakers decided not to take up congressional or legislative redistricting for the 2028 election cycle during the special session.

Alternet - Lawmakers in Georgia abandoned the proposal to redraw congressional districts, retreating from a plan that could have ignited significant political conflict.

Alternet - House Speaker Jon Burns stated that changes to Georgia’s maps should only occur after ample opportunity for public input and discussion.

WHERE:

CNN - Georgia Capitol

Alternet - Georgia

WHEN:

CNN - The special session was set to begin on a Wednesday, but the exact date is not specified.

Alternet - The redistricting was intended for the 2028 election cycle.

WHY:

The Washington Post - The decision not to pursue redistricting was influenced by concerns that reopening the issue could energize Democratic voters and overshadow the campaign season as Republicans aim to defend their majority.

AJC.com - The decision not to pursue redistricting was influenced by concerns that reopening the issue could energize Democratic voters and overshadow the campaign season as Republicans aim to defend their majority.

CNN - Burns cited the need to focus on economic matters rather than “partisan games” as a reason for the decision to delay redistricting.

CNN - Concerns were raised about moving too quickly after a US Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which struck down Louisiana’s congressional map as an illegal racial gerrymander.

CNN - Burns cited the need to focus on economic matters rather than “partisan games” as a reason for the decision to delay redistricting.

CNN - Concerns about moving too quickly after a US Supreme Court decision weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters.

CNN - Burns cited pending litigation over existing Georgia districts and the need to understand the implications of race in redistricting.

Alternet - Uneasy Republicans cautioned that partisan redistricting could motivate Democratic voters.

HOW:

AJC.com - House Speaker Jon Burns communicated the decision to Governor Brian Kemp through a letter, which was signed by all members of the Georgia House Republican leadership and Senate Pro Temp Larry Walker.

CNN - Burns communicated the decision to Kemp through a letter.

Alternet - The House Republican leadership signed onto the letter opposing mid-decade redistricting.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 16:08 UTC)

House Speaker Jon Burns emphasized the need for lawmakers to prioritize economic issues over partisan conflicts, while Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed his disappointment over the decision not to pursue redistricting, insisting that they must fulfill their responsibilities. The choice to avoid redistricting was largely driven by fears that reopening the topic could mobilize Democratic voters and distract from the upcoming campaign season, as Republicans work to maintain their majority. Burns communicated this decision to Governor Brian Kemp in a letter that was signed by all members of the Georgia House Republican leadership and Senate Pro Temp Larry Walker.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 14:02 UTC)

Republican legislative leaders in Georgia have decided not to redraw the state’s political maps during the upcoming special legislative session, a move that avoids potential political conflict ahead of the November election. House Speaker Jon Burns expressed in a letter to Governor Brian Kemp that existing lawsuits over the 2021 maps made him cautious, insisting that any changes should allow for public input and discussion. This decision is seen as a temporary rebuff to pressure from Trump to alter congressional districts in favor of the GOP, as leaders are wary of energizing Democratic voters during the campaign season.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 06:37 UTC)

Republican legislative leaders have decided not to pursue redistricting for now, a move seen as a setback for Governor Brian Kemp and Trump, who had advocated for changes to benefit their party. House Speaker Jon Burns emphasized the importance of allowing ample time for discussion and input from both the General Assembly and citizens before making any changes, while Senate Pro Temp Larry Walker noted that the caucus remains united against mid-decade redistricting. Burns also pointed out the need to prioritize economic issues over what he described as "partisan games," especially in light of recent concerns following a Supreme Court ruling on gerrymandering.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 21:38 UTC)

Georgia Republican legislative leaders have decided not to redraw congressional or legislative districts during the special session, a move seen as a setback for both Governor Brian Kemp and Trump. House Speaker Jon Burns emphasized the importance of focusing on economic issues rather than "partisan games," while Lt. Gov. Burt Jones expressed disappointment, insisting that the failure to deliver on this matter is unacceptable. With ten states already enacting new congressional districts ahead of the November midterm elections, Georgia was poised to be the first state to change its districts for the 2028 elections.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 19:45 UTC)

Georgia Republican legislative leaders, including House Speaker Jon Burns and Governor Brian Kemp, have decided not to pursue redistricting during a special session, rejecting a proposal that could have led to significant political conflict. This decision came as demonstrators filled the Georgia Capitol, chanting “Black voters matter!” and was influenced by concerns over the implications of race in redistricting and the recent weakening of federal Voting Rights Act protections. Burns emphasized that any changes to Georgia’s maps should involve ample public input and discussion before moving forward.