Republicans in Texas have revealed a proposal for a new set of congressional maps as a metaphorical war over redistricting begins to get heated across the nation. The GOP’s maps would create five brand spanking new House seats that were won by scorching double digits by President Donald Trump last November.
The president has been applying pressure on members of the Texas Republican Party to redraw the lines as a means of protecting the GOP’s narrow 219-212 House majority during next year’s midterm.
State Rep. Todd Hunter (R) filed the redistricting proposal during a special session of Texas’ Congress.
The Hill has more details:
The maps could endanger Democrats’ efforts to take back the lower chamber next year. In response to the moves in Texas, Democrats in California and other blue states have floated their own redistricting possibilities, heating up a redistricting war ahead of the midterms.
Earlier in July, Trump said, “Just a simple redrawing.”
Analysis of the maps from Punchbowl News and The Texan project a potential five-seat gain from the new proposal, including a big shift to Rep. Greg Casar’s (D-Texas) 35th Congressional District near San Antonio and Austin. Texas Democrats have responded to the proposal by accusing Republicans of “trying to rig the midterms.”
What a rich statement from a political party that has been busted numerous times using shady, underhanded, and illegal practices in order to yank a victory right out from beneath Trump and a number of other Republicans.
“By merging our Central Texas districts, Trump wants to commit yet another crime— this time, against Texas voters and against The Voting Rights Act,” Casar said in his response to the proposal.
My, my, my. How the tables have turned.
The National Redistricting Foundation (NRF), the nonprofit affiliate of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, called the proposed map “a racially discriminatory, brazen power grab.”
“It is an insult to all Texans, who have demonstrated overwhelming, bipartisan opposition to President Trump’s order to draw a mid-decade gerrymander,” executive director Marina Jenkins replied in her statement.
Maps from 2021 were already seen as giving a helping hand to Republicans in the Lone Star State, which President Trump took by 14 points in 2024. Those in favor of redistricting believe the current GOP lead of 25-13 will give them an edge in Congress.
“But Democrats have argued that while shifting voters from solidly red districts to bluer ones could make Democratic-held seats more competitive, it could endanger some now-safe GOP seats,” The Hill reported. “Changes to the maps could also blunt challenges to the maps that Texas drew after the 2020 census, including a trial in El Paso in which voter advocates have alleged that the maps discriminate against some Black and Latino voters.”
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who is House Minority Leader, is set to hold a meeting with Democrats in Texas on Wednesday as the party looks at options to fight back against the proposal.
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