Texas: Federal judges rule against redistricting. A three-judge federal panel ruled, by two to one, that the state legislature intended to limit the influence of minority voters in its latest redistricting plan. The dissenting judge lambasted the Obama Justice Department’s brief in the case, saying that it painted Texas officials “as a bunch of backwoods hayseed bigots,” reported the Washington Post ……. Virginia: Riggleman complains about campaign costs. Denver Riggleman, a businessman and whiskey distiller, is running for governor in the Republican Primary, his maiden venture into politics. “I thought raising $100,000 would be awesome in the first 2½ months,” he told the Washington Post. “But my gosh, it’s a pimple on a hog’s [backside].” …….Oklahoma: McCarville dead at 76. Mike McCarville, a longtime journalist and follower of the state’s politics, died on Mar. 8 after a long illness. McCarville was both a radio commentator and the publisher of his own website, “The McCarville Report.” He was a frequent source for SPR stories on Oklahoma politics ……..