Texas lawmakers to consider congressional map redrawing after pressure from Trump

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Legislature is set to revisit the state’s congressional maps during an upcoming special session, following pressure from former President Donald Trump, who has reportedly urged Republican lawmakers to flip several Democratic seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Of the 38 congressional seats in Texas, 25 are currently held by Republicans, with 12 held by Democrats and one vacant following the death of Representative Sylvester Turner earlier this year. Trump has suggested redrawing the district boundaries to flip as many as five Democratic-held seats, aiming to further secure the GOP’s narrow House majority.

President Trump indicated to reporters that redrawing the maps could shift three to five seats from Democrats to Republicans, further solidifying the state’s already Republican-majority delegation.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett, a Democrat representing Austin, is no stranger to redistricting battles in Texas. He recalled that his district lines had once extended to the Rio Grande Valley and nearly to Houston. “I was once drawn all the way to Mexico. I had an office in McAllen. I was once drawn almost all the way to Houston,” Doggett said.

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Doggett also stated that Trump recently sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, identifying four districts as being gerrymandered along racial lines. He pointed out the inconsistency of that claim, noting, “Keep in mind they were gerrymandered by a Republican-controlled state legislature and Republican officials have just been giving testimony in a lawsuit in El Paso under oath that there was no racial consideration.”

Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project, emphasized the potential impact of even a small number of flipped seats. “If you redraw the maps and you win 2, 3, 4, it’s still going to be a pretty big win, given how close the House of Representatives is,” Henson said.

Democratic Representative Greg Casar has publicly opposed the redistricting effort, and Doggett warned that the proposed changes present broader dangers. “It’s a very serious threat to democracy. I think it’s not about helping Texas. It’s all about helping President Trump stay in office,” he said.

Republican Representative Michael McCaul declined to comment on the issue. A request for comment from Republican Representative Chip Roy’s office was not returned.

Governor Abbott has scheduled the special election to fill the late Representative Turner’s seat for November, eight months after Turner’s death.