Republican leaders of the Utah Legislature said Thursday they would follow a court order to redraw the state’s congressional map — which could help Democrats — even as President Donald Trump pressures them to shut the opposition party out.
The legislators are caught between Trump, who is waging a national fight to bolster the Republican Party in the midterm elections, and a court ruling that is demanding they redraw their maps on a short timeline.
The lawmakers said they disagree with the ruling but will not defy it.
“While we will continue to pursue every legal option available — including requesting a stay from the Utah Supreme Court if necessary — we will attempt to redistrict under these unprecedented constraints, consistent with our oath to represent the best interests of Utah,” Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams and state House Speaker Mike Schultz said in a statement Thursday.
All four of Utah’s House seats are held by Republicans. A redrawing could allow a Democrat to pick up a seat at a time when both parties nationwide are in an unusual mid-decade redistricting battle sparked by Trump and his drive to preserve his party’s narrow House majority….