Story perspectives

Louisiana Gov Halts Primary After Court Declares Gerrymander Illegal

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stopped the May 16 U.S. House primaries after the Supreme Court declared the congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, pushing the race to July 15.
Democratic candidate Lindsay Garcia and voter Eugene Collins sued Landry, saying the suspension violates the First, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments.
U.S. President Donald Trump praised Landry’s swift action on social media while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said the governor had no choice.

History

Historical Context

Supreme Court’s 1993 Shaw v. Reno decision, a 5-4 ruling that imposed strict scrutiny on race-based district lines, set the legal standard used when Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry halted primaries after a court declared the state’s congressional map an unconstitutional gerrymander, prompting lawsuits from candidate Lindsay Garcia and voter Eugene Collins.

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Story summary

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stopped the May 16 U.S. House primaries after the Supreme Court declared the congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, pushing the race to July 15.
Democratic candidate Lindsay Garcia and voter Eugene Collins sued Landry, saying the suspension violates the First, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments.
U.S. President Donald Trump praised Landry’s swift action on social media while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said the governor had no choice.

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