Tarrant County commissioners are considering a plan to redraw district boundaries ahead of the 2026 election, a move that has sparked accusations of racial gerrymandering from at least one county commissioner.
Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons, who represents Precinct 2, claims the redistricting effort is an attempt to weaken minority voting power in Precincts 1 and 2. She also opposes hiring the Public Interest Legal Foundation to provide legal guidance and draft potential maps, citing concerns over its $30,000 cost.
The Tarrant County GOP argues the redistricting process is necessary to correct district lines that have benefited Democrats for decades. Democrats have held the Precinct 1 seat since the 1960s, while the current court is made up of three Republicans and two Democrats.
Commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on whether to hire the legal firm to assist with the redistricting process.
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