Texas Republicans have released a brand-new congressional map that could give the GOP a major advantage heading into the 2026 midterm elections - potentially flipping up to five seats currently held by or leaning toward Democrats.
The proposed map, unveiled Tuesday during a special legislative session called by Governor Greg Abbott, redraws all 38 of the state’s U.S. House districts. And while Republicans say it’s a routine update reflecting population shifts and district compactness, Democrats see a calculated power move with national implications.
What’s at stake
Under the current map, the GOP controls 25 of Texas’ 38 congressional seats. This new proposal could push that number to 30 - giving Republicans a stronger cushion in what’s expected to be a closely contested fight for control of the U.S. House.
Among the most notable changes:
Two Rio Grande Valley districts - currently held by Democrats - would be redrawn to lean Republican.
Two North Texas districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that have trended blue would shift back toward the GOP.
In Austin and San Antonio, two seats held by progressive Democrats Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar would be consolidated into one district - effectively forcing a primary showdown or retirement.
Four of the five new Republican-leaning districts would be majority-Hispanic, reflecting the GOP’s growing confidence in South Texas after Donald Trump made inroads with Latino voters there in 2020 and 2024.
According to analysis by Politico, all five of the newly drawn GOP-favored districts were carried by Trump by double digits in the last presidential election.
Why now?
Redistricting usually happens once every 10 years after the census, but Texas Republicans are pursuing a rare mid-decade redraw. It’s legal in Texas, and party leaders say now is the time to act - while they control both chambers of the Legislature and the governor’s office.
A Republican spokesperson told Politico the new lines are designed to be more compact and to reduce the number of counties that are split between districts - two metrics often used to defend against accusations of gerrymandering.
But critics aren’t buying it.
The backlash begins
Civil rights groups and Democrats say the new map appears to intentionally weaken minority voting strength - especially among Black and Latino voters in urban and suburban communities.
“This map erases representation for communities of color and rigs the game to keep Republicans in power,” one Texas Democratic lawmaker told The Guardian.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries traveled to Austin this week to meet with Texas Democrats about their options - including the possibility of filing lawsuits or even staging another walkout to block a vote on the map.
Voting rights organizations are expected to challenge the proposal in court the moment it’s signed into law, likely citing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. That section prohibits voting maps that dilute the power of minority voters.
Texas has faced legal trouble before over redistricting. In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that one of its maps violated the Voting Rights Act by redrawing a Latino-majority district in a way that diminished their voting power.
What happens next?
The Legislature will now debate the proposed map, with Republicans expected to move quickly to approve it before the end of the special session. If passed, the new districts could go into effect for the 2026 primaries—just in time for Texas voters to elect a new slate of representatives under a very different political map.
While Republicans frame this as smart planning, critics warn it could invite backlash - and long court battles - heading into the next election cycle.
In Texas politics, redistricting isn’t just a paperwork exercise. It’s trench warfare with ballot boxes.
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