Dem Bennie Thompson says redistricting is 'equivalent to a second Civil War' as Mississippi considers redrawing maps to erase rep's district

Democratic Mississippi Representative Bennie Thompson compared the ongoing redistricting efforts in Southern states to a “second Civil War” as his state considers congressional map changes that could potentially eliminate his district. This follows the Supreme Court's ruling that creating congressional districts based on the racial composition of its resident is unconstitutional.

“This is equivalent to a second Civil War,” Thompson said during an appearance on Al Sharpton’s MS NOW “PoliticsNation.”

“We’re gonna have to get our act together,” he added. “We gonna have to resist with every fiber in our body. We gonna have to take this system on at every election.”

Thompson later shared a clip of his remarks on social media, writing, “I don't care what they say; we are committed to fighting this redistricting no matter what. There are more at stake than meets the eye, and we’ve come too far to ever turn around!”

In a separate post, he warned that the recent Supreme Court decision could have widespread implications for redistricting battles.

“The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais is a warning we cannot ignore,” he wrote. “This ruling will shape redistricting battles across the South at the federal, state, and local levels. When we do not stand up, [b]lack and [b]rown voters do not just lose a voice, we lose ground in housing, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and civil rights. Let’s be clear. This fight over redistricting has never been about protecting your vote. It has always been about protecting their power. Getting involved in this fight matters because when you do not, you are surrendering.”

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 last week that racial gerrymandering under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. The ruling has paved the way for Republican-led states, particularly across the South, to pursue new congressional maps that could produce significant GOP gains.

Mississippi state House speaker Jason White said that redistricting will be considered during the 2027 legislative session. White announced that he would be forming six new House select committees ahead of the 2027 session in order to take a look at redistricting. A release from his office stated that one of those committees will be about "the current districting processes and legal considerations, ensuring Mississippi remains prepared to address future reapportionment with transparency, fairness, and adherence to constitutional requirements."

Thompson is the only Democrat representing Mississippi in Congress, and his majority-black district could become a target for redrawing following the court’s ruling.