Texas House Republicans Reveal Bold New Congressional Map Aiming to Secure Five Additional GOP Seats

Texas GOP lawmakers have released a new draft of the state’s congressional map, aiming to reshape district lines and potentially flip five Democratic seats in the upcoming midterm elections. The proposal, led by Rep. Todd Hunter from Corpus Christi, focuses on areas like Austin, Dallas, Houston, and South Texas, where Democrats currently hold sway.

This redistricting effort is unusual since it’s happening mid-decade, likely fueled by pressure from former President Donald Trump’s team, who want to bolster Republicans’ slim majority in the U.S. House. Presently, Republicans control 25 of Texas’ 38 seats, with Trump winning 27 of those districts in 2024, including ones held by Democrats like Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez.

The draft proposes that Trump would have won 30 districts last year, each by at least 10 points. For Cuellar and Gonzalez’s districts, which are largely Hispanic, the lines have been adjusted to slightly favor Republicans more than before. In these districts, Trump’s support is projected to increase from about 53% and 52% to nearly 55%.

The proposed map also places Democratic Reps. Julie Johnson and Marc Veasey in a tricky situation. Johnson’s Dallas district would be reshaped for Republican gain, while Veasey could face primary challenges as his district undergoes significant changes, dropping Fort Worth, his hometown and base.

The map impacts other Democratic strongholds too. In Houston, the 9th Congressional District, previously won by Vice President Kamala Harris by 44%, would now lean Republican, switching to a configuration Trump would have won by 15%. This move raises questions about representation in majority-minority areas.

Critics argue that this redistricting reflects a broader trend to pack more Democrats into fewer districts, thereby diluting their influence in others. Data suggests that while Republicans are drawing new districts favorable to their candidates, no current Republican-held areas are being made more competitive. It seems the focus is on securing advantages rather than creating fair competition.

Historically, Texas has been under scrutiny for its redistricting practices. Courts have repeatedly found that Texas maps have violated the Voting Rights Act since its inception in the 1960s. Presently, legal challenges are still looming over the current congressional map.

This ongoing game of redistricting illustrates the political battleground state Texas has become. As reshaping continues, experts warn of potential legal repercussions. In the last decade, maps drawn favorably for one party have often led to lengthy court battles.

For more in-depth insights about how redistricting affects elections, check out this report from the Brennan Center.

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