Texas Republicans Convene Special Session to Redraw House Maps, Face Democratic Opposition
Texas Republicans Convene Special Session to Redraw House Maps, Face Democratic Opposition
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Republicans are set to convene a special legislative session this week with the primary goal of redrawing the state’s congressional maps. This aggressive push, strongly urged by former President Donald Trump, aims to create up to five new winnable House seats for the GOP ahead of the 2026 elections, solidifying the party’s control.
The session, called by Governor Greg Abbott, also addresses the devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country that has claimed over 135 lives this month. However, the political maneuvering over district lines remains a focal point.
Key Democratic targets include U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, whose Rio Grande Valley district was narrowly won in the last election. Republicans aim to adjust lines to incorporate more GOP voters, but Democrats warn that overly aggressive gerrymandering could inadvertently create a ‘dummymander,’ making neighboring Republican districts vulnerable. Democratic state lawmakers are actively considering a walkout to deny a quorum, a tactic previously used in 2021, despite new rules imposing fines for such actions.
This redistricting effort follows Trump’s strong performance in Texas in the last presidential election, where he significantly expanded his winning margin. While Republicans see an opportunity to capitalize on this momentum, experts like Michael Li of the Brennan Center for Justice caution about the substantial political and legal risks, including potential violations of the Voting Rights Act.
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