It’s now highly likely that Pennsylvania’s newly-drawn congressional district map will stand and will be in place for the primary election in May.
A federal court panel tossed out a lawsuit on Monday filed by eight Republican congressmen, including U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler.
Shortly after the federal panel ruled, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Republican effort to stay or postpone the new map for another year.
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the previous state congressional map was unconstitutional because it was drawn to favor one political party over another. The previous map, drawn by the GOP in 2011, is considered among the most gerrymandered in the country.
The court then issued a new map with new districts.
Under the new map, Butler County is broken into three districts: the 15th, 16th and 17th districts.
The 15th includes eastern Butler County, Armstrong, Venango, Clarion, Indiana and other eastern counties, and is now part of Congressman Glenn Thompson’s district.
The 16th includes western Butler County, Lawrence, Mercer, Clearfield and Erie counties, and is represented by Congressman Mike Kelly.
The 17th includes much part of Cranberry Township, Butler County and much of Allegheny County, where Congressman Keith Rothfus is expected to be challenged by Conor Lamb.
Under the old map, all of Butler County fell into the 3rd district, represented by U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly.
Candidates have until Tuesday afternoon to file their nominating petitions in the new districts. The primary election is Tuesday, May 15.
Read more about the new congressional district map for Pennsylvania here.
