Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed into law Texas’ newly redrawn congressional map, a mid-decade redistricting plan pushed by former President Donald Trump to strengthen Republicans’ hold on the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In a video posted on social media, Abbott celebrated the signing and said the map makes Texas “more red in the United States Congress” and “ensures fairer representation” for Texans.
The new map, approved on party-line votes after weeks of contentious debate, adds five Republican-leaning districts, creating a projected 30-8 split in Texas’ U.S. House delegation. Democrats had briefly stalled the plan by leaving the state during the first special session, but returned after California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched his own retaliatory redistricting effort.
Legal challenges were filed almost immediately. Groups representing Black and Latino voters argue the plan violates federal law by diluting minority voting strength. A three-judge panel already considering challenges to Texas’ 2021 maps has scheduled a hearing in early October. Candidate filing for the 2026 midterms is set to open in December.
Texas Democratic Party chair Kendall Scudder accused Abbott of bowing to pressure from Washington, saying the governor had “surrendered to Washington, D.C.”
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube