At the request of Donald Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved a bill that changes the state’s congressional maps to turn five Democratic seats in the US House into Republican seats.
This unusual mid-decade redistricting in Texas has triggered strong opposition from Democrats, sparking a heated national debate over gerrymandering and voter control in different states.
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After signing the bill with a marker, Abbott declared in a video posted on social media that Texas now has a stronger Republican presence in Congress.
Criticism From Democrats
Texas Democratic leaders strongly opposed the governor’s move. The state party chairman, Kendall Scudder, accused Abbott and Republicans of giving away control of Texas to Washington. Scudder argued that Texas leaders claim toughness, yet yielded to Trump’s demand with little resistance, calling the action disgraceful.
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The new congressional map is already affecting political plans in the state. Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett, the longest-serving member of Texas’s congressional delegation, announced he would not run for reelection in his Austin district if the map becomes official.
The proposed district lines place Doggett in the same area as another Democratic representative, Greg Casar, creating a major challenge.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has often clashed with Trump on redistricting and other issues, mocked Abbott on social media, calling him Trump’s “number one lapdog.”
Broader Impact on Elections
Republican leaders openly admit that gaining more seats in Texas would strengthen their party’s narrow majority in the US House during the coming midterm elections.
Several other Republican-controlled states are looking at making similar changes. At the same time, states led by Democrats are moving in the opposite direction.
California’s legislature passed a redistricting plan that could add five seats for Democrats, though voters must approve it in November before it takes effect. The Texas plan does not require voter approval, but it is already facing legal challenges.
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Disputes Over Voting Rights
Passage of the Texas bill was delayed after more than 50 Democratic lawmakers staged a walkout, preventing Republicans from having enough members present to proceed.
Democrats argue that the new maps weaken the voting power of Hispanic and Black communities and violate federal protections against racial discrimination. Republicans behind the measure defended the plan, saying it was based solely on voting history and not on race.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted this week showed that most Americans believe gerrymandering, or drawing districts mainly for political advantage, harms democracy.
