Trump’s Team Urges Texas GOP to Redraw Districts Ahead of Midterms
TL/DR –
President Trump’s political team is urging GOP leaders in Texas to consider how redrawing house district lines could aid the Republican majority in the upcoming midterm elections. This Washington-led push has unnerved some Texas Republicans who fear that redistricting could backfire and threaten incumbent Republicans, despite potentially flipping Democrat-held districts. Redistricting mid-decade is uncommon and contentious and could escalate political conflicts; yet supporters of the plan believe that four to five House seats could potentially be secured by Republicans in 2026.
Trump’s Team Encourages Redrawing Texas House District Lines
President Trump’s political team is urging Republican leaders in Texas to consider how to redraw state House district lines to salvage the party’s threatened majority in the upcoming midterm elections, sources close to the matter suggest.
The intervention has agitated some Texas Republicans, who fear that if reliably Republican voters from neighboring districts are added to turn Democratic districts red, it may backfire and further favor the Democrats in an already anticipated Democratic election.
A Trump insider insisted Mr. Trump would support any opportunity to gain seats in the midterms and will be closely monitoring those aiding or hindering his efforts.
During an emergency meeting at the Capitol on Monday, Texas congressional Republicans, led by Representative Michael McCaul, showed little interest in redistricting. Representative Pete Sessions, however, called for another meeting to discuss redrawing impacts on the entire delegation.
Redistricting usually occurs at the start of each decade, based on new census data to adjust House seats as per state population shifts. Mid-decade redistricting is infrequent and frequently contentious. The maps drawn by the Republican Legislature in 2021 are still being contested, and a trial started last month.
Trump’s concern about losing a narrow House majority, thereby empowering Democrats to investigate his administration, has prompted serious discussions about redrawing among Texas Republicans.
In 2003, attempts to introduce new maps ignited a fierce political battle, resulting in Democrats fleeing the state in an effort to halt the process. The Republicans ultimately gained a majority in the Texas House delegation, which they have maintained since then. However, with Republicans currently having a 25-to-12 advantage over Democrats in the state’s House delegation, the chances of such gains are more limited.
Nevertheless, the plan’s advocates believe Republicans could potentially gain four or five House seats in 2026. To achieve this, Republican voters from secure Republican districts would need to be pushed into neighboring Democratic districts, making them more competitive. This could jeopardize both Republicans and Democrats, specifically in a Democratic wave year.
This week, the Texas Democratic Party announced a state-wide organizing effort in collaboration with Texas Majority PAC. Also, the Texas Legislature would need to approve any mid-decade redistricting. Since it’s not in session again until 2027, a special session would need to be called by Governor Greg Abbott.
The lawsuit over the current 2021-drawn maps alleges they disadvantage Black and Hispanic communities, and is ongoing in the El Paso U.S. District Court. The Justice Department under President Biden had sued over the 2021 maps, but the challenge was dropped by the Trump administration earlier this year.
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