Well, well, well, if it isn't a Republican state party with some actual gumption.
Utah Republicans, you'll be pleased to hear, are fighting back after a recent court decision that threw out the GOP-redrawn congressional map in favor of one that created a district that heavily favors Democrats. As RedState reported last month, Utah District Court Judge Dianna Gibson rejected a Republican-approved congressional map and, instead, approved a map that creates a Democrat-leaning district. This was a big win for Democrats heading into next year's midterm elections.
From our reporting:
In making her ruling, Gibson decided that the GOP-drawn map, known as Map C, "does not comply with Utah law.” The judge wrote that 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." Proposition 4 refers to a 2018 ballot measure approved by Utah voters that reformed the state's redistricting standards.
Gibson concluded, “And, based on the evidence presented, the Court finds that [Republicans’ House map] was drawn with the purpose to favor Republicans."
The ruling comes after the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government filed a lawsuit in which they argued that GOP lawmakers were attempting to gerrymander the state's congressional districts, which would be a violation of the law. The plaintiffs drew up their own map to include a district that would heavily favor the Democrat candidate, and this is the map approved by Gibson.
Dems score huge redistricting victory in Utah, as judge overrules GOP legislature and orders a map w/ a new Harris +24 #UT01, guaranteeing Dems a one seat pickup. https://t.co/gtu8WbEr7s pic.twitter.com/rxacR3JQqL
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 11, 2025
Just last Friday, Judge Gibson filed a ruling that will allow Utah's Republican-controlled legislature to appeal her decision to the Utah Supreme Court, with the judge writing that "the Court agrees that the important legal issues decided by this Court and reflected in each of its rulings ... should be reviewed by the Utah Supreme Court as quickly as possible."
While it's unclear if the Utah Supreme Court will make a decision in time to affect the midterms, Utah Republicans have decided to play the long game and are looking at 2028 and beyond. The GOP there is currently collecting signatures as part of its "effort to put an initiative on the 2026 ballot to repeal Utah’s ban on partisan gerrymandering." If successful, Republicans would then be able to redraw the map for 2028 and again after the 2030 census.
READ MORE: A Utah Judge Just Handed Democrats a Massive Redistricting Win
‘Turnout Machine’ Trump to Go Full-Throttle in 2026 Midterm Blitz
The effort by the GOP is being bolstered by allies of President Trump – who has promised to campaign aggressively for his party's candidates next year – including Turning Point USA and Securing American Greatness Inc., a non-profit with ties to former White House official Taylor Budowich.
Some reports indicate that Republicans have only gathered 15 percent of the required number of signatures needed to get the initiative on the ballot in 2026, but Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson estimated they are closer to having half the 140,748 signatures required.
Either way, it's nice to see an arm of the GOP not roll over and play dead despite the judicial headwinds working against them. More of this, please.
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