Challenge to new Michigan House map fails in court

DETROIT (AP) -- A coalition of labor and civil rights groups appears to have lost a lawsuit challenging new boundaries for Detroit seats in the Michigan House. A three-judge panel said a majority was in favor of ending the case, and a written opinion will follow. The judges heard arguments last Friday on the state of Michigan's request to dismiss the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims the new map is illegal because it dilutes the political representation of minorities and forces some black incumbents to run against each other in Detroit this year. The boundaries were approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, also a Republican. John Bursch of the attorney general's office defended the map, noting the 10 House seats in Detroit have a majority black population. Published: Tue, Mar 27, 2012