Kansas court wrestles with barring political gerrymandering

By JOHN HANNA
AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top Kansas government attorney has argued that congressional redistricting is naturally political and the Kansas Supreme Court shouldn’t try to decide when partisanship goes too far. But Kansas Solicitor General Brant Laue found himself chastised Monday by one of the justices for making what the justice called a “boys will be boys” argument. The Supreme Court heard arguments in the state’s appeal of a lower court ruling striking down a Republican congressional redistricting law making it harder for the only Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation to win reelection this year. Justice Dan Biles challenge Laue and suggested that partisan gerrymandering can never be a legitimate state interest.