Texas is in the middle of a political battle over a mid‑decade congressional redistricting plan that GOP leaders argue is necessary to reflect population shifts, but critics say is a blatant attempt to rig elections.
Earlier, GOP lawmakers began crafting a new congressional map aimed at gaining five additional Republican‑leaning seats for the 2026 House races, a move Democrat leaders perceive as responding to pressure from President Donald Trump.
The draft map zooms in on Democratic incumbents in four minority-majority congressional districts, which Democratic politicians claim dilutes the power of majority-minority districts.
Republicans currently hold 25 of 38 congressional seats, with Trump carrying 27 districts in 2024. The new map would raise GOP-leaning districts to 30, increase white citizen-voting majority districts from 22 to 24, majority-Hispanic districts to eight and create two majority-Black districts, including the 18th in Houston.
- District 9 (represented by Congressman Al Green) would shift east into eastern Harris County and form a Trump-leaning seat under new lines, reversing its current deep blue status
- District 18 (currently underrepresented) would be reshaped into a solidly Black-majority seat, increasing Democratic concentration
- District 29, (Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia), would undergo voter redistribution to pack Democrats into fewer districts while moving GOP voters into more competitive zones
- District 33 (Congressman Marc Veasey) would reduce the Hispanic and Black population and would have no single racial or ethnic group to form a majority
Context
The redistricting is occurring outside the usual post‑census cycle. The U.S. Department of Justice raised concerns about racial gerrymandering in these districts, leading Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session in July to authorize the redraw.
Over 50 Democratic state representatives fled Texas in protest, denying Republicans the quorum needed to pass the map. This prompted threats of arrest warrants from the GOP-controlled House when the leaders return to Texas and a daily $500 fee to bring absent legislators back.
Abbott also asked the Texas Supreme Court to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office, calling him the “ringleader” of the walkout.
Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke and his political group, Powered by People, were sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for fundraising to cover the expenses of absent Democrats.
What’s new?
Abbott threatened the fight “could literally last years” and that he would use his powers to call one special session after another, with each lasting 30 days.
As reported by ABC News, the Texas Senate has also planned to meet and may vote on its own version of redistricting legislation. However, if the bill passes the Senate, it cannot be voted on until the House reaches a quorum.
