Texas Republicans released their proposed congressional map for the state on Wednesday, which will create five new seats in areas Trump carried by 10 points or more in November.
Per Punchbowl News, the redistricting would give Republicans a larger advantage in the state in the US House in the next election. The proposed changes, which were created at Trump’s urging, per Politico, would help Republicans keep hold of their razor-thin majority in the House. Areas in and around Austin, Dallas and Houston will see new districts, and two others will be in the Rio Grande Valley.
The 30-day special session called by Governor Greg Abbott is set to end on August 19, giving lawmakers in the state a few weeks to work.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is set to meet with Texas Democrats to discuss responses to the redistricting. Democrats have reportedly debated walking out of the special session, which would block Republicans from having the quorum needed to pass the maps. Jeffries has stated that Democrats are also considering redistricting efforts in states across the country in response to the GOP efforts.
A person close to the process told Politico that the new map is not expected to create any Republican primaries, and will create smaller geographical districts and split fewer counties than the one currently in place.
Of the five new districts, Trump would have carried three of them by 10 points in the 2024 election, and the other two by over 15 points, the person said.
Democrat Lawmakers that would be at risk under the redistricting efforts are Rep Henry Cuellar of the current 28th District, Rep Vincent Gonzalez of the current 34th District, Rep Julie Johnson of the current 32nd District, Rep Greg Casar of the current 35th District, and Rep Lloyd Doggett of the current 37th District.
