Stung by redistricting rulings, Republicans target state court elections

FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators protest during a Fair Maps rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court, in Washington
FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators protest during a Fair Maps rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court, in Washington, U.S., March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Joseph Ax and Jarrett Renshaw

Republicans are vowing to spend record amounts in key state supreme court races this fall, seeking to take advantage of a favorable national political environment to elect conservative judges at the state level amid deep political divisions.

A string of decisions throwing out Republican-drawn congressional maps in Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania has intensified the party’s determination to install justices who could give lawmakers fresh opportunities to muscle through more advantageous maps.