Pulling back the curtain on how legislative leaders draw new district maps

With the redistricting session ordered by a federal judge now under way at the state capitol, Politically Georgia hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut welcome John Porter, a top aide to former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan to the podcast. Porter offers an inside look at the pressures that weigh on legislative leaders as they draw new maps, rewarding some incumbents, and punishing others. Porter was deeply involved in drawing the maps that came in the aftermath of the 2020 census, and which federal judge Steve Jones ordered be redrawn to give Black voters fairer representation. You'll also hear are wrap up of the emotional three-day celebration of the life of Rosalynn Carter, who was laid to rest in the family burial ground in Plains yesterday. Plus, we'll give you a look at the state senate’s passage of a resolution offering unqualified support for Israel in the war against Hamas and a preview of tonight’s unusual debate between GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. Links to today's topics: Lawmakers begin fight over redrawing Georgia legislative maps State senate map rewards Republicans but creates 2 majority Black districts A look at new state house maps Rosalynn Carter's journey comes to and end in her beloved Plains ‘Red vs. Blue’: Why DeSantis and Newsom are facing off in Alpharetta Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode. Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices