Gov. Greg Abbott included “a revised congressional redistricting plan in gentle of constitutional considerations raised by the U.S. Division of Justice” among the many priorities for a particular legislative session set to start July 21.
The immediate got here after a DOJ letter asserted that Texas’ present congressional map featured 4 majority-minority congressional districts, three in Houston (the ninth, 18th, and twenty ninth) and one in Dallas, improperly drawn alongside racial strains.
Whereas Abbott and Lt. Gov. Patrick argue the redrawing addresses DOJ-mandated authorized points, critics view it as a politically pushed, mid-decade alternative to carve out as much as 5 extra GOP-leaning districts forward of the 2026 midterms. State and native governments usually redraw maps every decade when new census information is launched.
“Simply spoke to our Nice Congressmen and girls of Texas,” President Donald Trump wrote on social media. “One in all them despatched me my Leads to Texas, and even I didn’t understand how nicely I did, however right here they’re — Gained by one and a half million Votes, and nearly 14%. Additionally, gained all the Border Counties alongside Mexico, one thing which has by no means occurred earlier than. I preserve listening to about Texas “going Blue,” however it’s simply one other Democrat LIE. With the correct Candidate, Texas isn’t “going Blue” anytime quickly!”
Houston’s political leaders push again
Houston Democrats have led the cost in denouncing the choice.
Rep. Sylvia Garcia known as the particular session “a brazen, racist energy seize.”
“It’s pathetic and rotten to the core—a determined try to make sure that they will preserve the bulk within the Home of Representatives by drive, regardless of Trump’s more and more unpopular agenda for our nation,” Garcia stated.
Harris County Legal professional Christian Menefee additionally decried the timing and known as it a deliberate try at gerrymandering, which includes manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor a political social gathering.
“They’re coming again to attract maps, not to make sure that they’re higher consultant of the individuals who dwell in our communities, however to additional gerrymander them in order that they will ship extra Republicans to Congress,” Menefee advised the Defender. “It’s disgusting, it’s shameful. It’s not how our democracy ought to run.”
Harris County Choose Lina Hidalgo criticized Abbott’s deal with redistricting amid pressing FEMA and flood-recovery deficiencies, stating the transfer would disproportionately hurt disaster-vulnerable communities.
“We all know that poor communities usually tend to dwell in flood-prone areas, much less more likely to have resilient infrastructure and extra more likely to bear the brunt of disasters,” Hidalgo wrote on X. “These are the identical communities that earlier Texas redistricting efforts have focused. Particularly as we grapple with lowered federal funding for emergencies and extra frequent disasters, I name for legislators to drop these redistricting efforts, that are clearly an tried energy seize throughout off-cycle redistricting.”
The Texas Democrats additionally launched a press release.
Texas Democratic Get together’s assertion on the Trump-Abbott Redistricting Plot pic.twitter.com/gEqAtq9Yrx
— Texas Democrats (@texasdemocrats) July 15, 2025
In the meantime, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is planning to even the enjoying subject.
Trump stated he’s going to steal 5 Congressional seats in Texas and gerrymander his means right into a 2026 win.
Nicely, two can play that recreation.
Particular periods.Particular elections.Poll initiatives.New legal guidelines.
It’s all on the desk when democracy is on the road. pic.twitter.com/iIFin1faPC
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 16, 2025
Legal professional and former Member of the Houston Metropolis Council Amanda Edwards additionally weighed in, including that the transfer would impede progress made over the past 60 years.
“That is desiring to dilute the voices of Black and brown communities,” she stated. “We’re going to battle this…We’re a nation made of individuals of all races, backgrounds, genders. And that deserves to have a voice and people considerations need to be elevated. We’ve got a consultant democracy by which these folks ought to proceed to have a capability to serve and see leads to their neighborhood that they deserve.”
Religion leaders weigh in
Houston’s clergy swiftly mobilized in opposition.
Pastor Charles Turner of New Nice Grove Missionary Baptist Church within the Fifth Ward wrote a letter to Abbott calling him to guard Black and Hispanic voting energy. He despatched copies to his 600-strong congregation and coordinated a grassroots canvassing effort.
“These proposed adjustments would considerably weaken the political vote and illustration of African American and Hispanic communities in our state,” Turner wrote within the letter. “I respectfully ask that you just stand towards any redistricting plans that will marginalize these communities and as a substitute advocate for a clear, equitable course of that protects the rights of all Texans.
Legislators contemplate a walkout
Democrats are exploring legislative maneuvers, together with a quorum-denial walkout in Austin, to dam proceedings.
Home Rep. Ron Reynolds stated he’s keen to interrupt the quorum and take motion on congressional redistricting.
Legal professional Basic Ken Paxton has threatened fines and authorized cures to implement quorum: Paxton even vowed to “seek out” absent Democrats.
If Democrats ignore their responsibility to their constituents by breaking quorum, they need to be discovered and arrested regardless of the place they go. The folks of Texas elected them to do a job, not run away and conceal like cowards. Lawmakers should reply the particular session name and go the… https://t.co/sxLvZCIOB1
— Legal professional Basic Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) July 15, 2025
What does it imply for Houston?
Illustration at stake.
Districts just like the 18th, at present vacant after the dying of Rep. Sylvester Turner, might be considerably reshaped. Democrats argue this dilutes Black and Hispanic political voice in one of many nation’s most various voting blocs.
The particular session begins July 21, and it stays to be seen how the Houston delegation’s political response will intensify.
