Arizona’s Republican-controlled state Senate voted to endorse Gov. Jan Brewer’s (R) removal of the independent chair of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, “triggering a rush to court and the likely start of an unprecedented constitutional battle,” the Arizona Republic reports.

“The actions are unprecedented in Arizona history; it’s only the second time since the independent commission was established by voters 11 years ago that the panel has taken on the task of drawing political boundaries.”

John Avlon: “If Brewer gets away with this power grab, it will suddenly appear on the
menu of every other governor looking to artificially preserve his or
her party’s hold on power, Republican or Democrat. It is nothing less
than an attempt to hijack representative democracy.”