From Nathan Gonzales over at CQ Politics:

As Democrats ramp up, Republicans are finally catching up with the formation of a new group that features some high-powered GOP players. Last month, the Republican State Leadership Committee, led by former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie, launched its REDistricting MAjority Project (REDMAP).

“We want to make sure Republican legislators have pens in their hands,” former Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds of New York, who served as National Republican Congressional Committee chairman, told Roll Call. Reynolds and others are quick to point out that the redistricting process starts with controlling as many legislative chambers as possible.

Reynolds is vice chairman of the RSLC and heading up REDMAP, which is organized as a 527 and has a budget of $20 million for non-federal races this November. Even if the FEC allows members to raise money for the trust, current members still could not get involved with a 527 such as REDMAP or Foundation for the Future.

REDMAP’s formation relieves some tension on the Republican side. Traditionally, the RNC has coordinated the GOP’s redistricting effort, relying heavily on soft money. In the aftermath of the campaign overhaullaw, the party was forced to completely restructure its redistricting effort. The RNC will play more of an advisory and educational role this time around.

Read the rest…