Texas Democrats are pushing back on a proposed GOP redistricting map that could reshape Houston-area congressional districts 9, 18, and 29.
HOUSTON — Texas Republicans have released a proposed redistricting map that could shift political power across the state, potentially adding five congressional seats for the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The new map, backed by President Donald Trump, targets several Democratic-held districts, including Texas’ 9th, 18th, and 29th, all located in the Houston area and home to large Black and Latino populations.
The Department of Justice sent a letter to Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney Ken Paxton in early July saying the department believed those congressional districts are “unconstitutional racial gerrymanders.”
The proposed maps are already drawing strong reactions from lawmakers and candidates across the state.
Rep. Al Green (D-TX 09) said:
“Today, I received what appears to be the proposed redistricting congressional lines for Texas. Of the many points that can be made, I shall call three to the attention of the public now and more later. Point one: the map is extreme invidious discrimination and accomplishes what the President has demanded of the Governor and more. Two, the DOJ demanded that the race card be played, and the Governor dealt the people of Texas a racist hand. Three, I will be on the ballot and will announce more of my intentionality after I have engaged in deliberations.”
Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX 29) said in part:
“The new redistricting maps out of Austin are exactly what we believed they would be: a power grab, driven by the Felon in the White House — one which will likely be rubber-stamped by Governor Abbott and his MAGA Republican allies.”
Christian Menefee, a Democrat, Harris County Attorney, and candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, said in part:
“The congressional maps released by the Texas House today are an insult to communities across our state and to the very idea of fair representation. These maps were conveniently dropped after public hearings concluded, without giving everyday Texans a real chance to weigh in on the actual proposals that will impact their lives. These corrupt stunts are what causes everyday people to lose faith in our public institutions.”
State Rep. Jolanda Jones (D-147), who is also running for TX-18, wrote on social media:
“The GOP map is surgical racism — a racial & political bloodbath targeting Black & Brown Texans. This isn’t redistricting. It’s retribution. I’ll fight it in the Capitol, in court, in the streets — and with a quorum break if needed.”
Isaiah Martin, another Democratic candidate for TX-18, wrote on X:
“These Republicans are so STUPID! They have no idea the floodgates they just opened. California, NY, NJ, Illinois, Colorado, every blue state you can think of must now make it their mission to gerrymander out as many Repubs as possible. Trump declared WAR, now we finish it!”
Amanda Edwards, a Democrat running for TX-18, wrote on social media:
“The newly proposed redistricting map threatens representation for districts across the state. This is not just lines on a map — this is about our voice, vote, and community.”
The redistricting process is taking place just four years after the last congressional maps were drawn following the 2020 census, a mid-decade move that is rare but not unprecedented. Republicans took a similar step in 2003.
Legal challenges are expected. Courts have found that at least one Texas redistricting plan has violated the Voting Rights Act every decade since the 1960s. The current map is still being challenged in federal court in El Paso.