‘It’s Really Theft’: Redistricting Plan Sparks Outrage

Texas Governor Abbott signing business-friendly bills

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) narrowly won reelection in 2024 by just over 5,000 votes, reportedly leaving him vulnerable as Texas Republicans seek to redraw congressional maps. The redistricting, coming amid Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session on flooding, aims to add GOP-leaning seats and shift Gonzalez’s district toward Republicans. The change risks a flip in the district from Democrat to Republican control, drawing criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

Rep. Gonzalez discusses family separation issues

Texas has 38 congressional districts, with Republicans holding 25 and Democrats 12. Despite their majority, Republicans secured only about 58% of the congressional vote in 2024.

Biden arrives at El Paso International Airport

Brennan Center for Justice Senior Fellow Michael Li said, “Anyone who can tell you what the politics of Texas looks like for the balance of the decade has a better crystal ball than I do.”

Biden meeting with Border Patrol in Brownsville

Rep. Al Green (D-TX) said, “It is more than redistricting. It’s really theft.” He added, “It’s the kind of election theft that you use when you realize that you can’t win playing with the hand that you’ve been dealt. So, you decide that you’ll just rearrange the cards so that they favor you.”

Rep. Al Green reacts during Trump’s address

Texas has permitted multiple redistricting efforts between censuses, enabling Republicans to redraw maps without needing pre-clearance under the Voting Rights Act. The absence of oversight has raised concerns over potential discrimination.

Reps. Green and Tlaib lead impeachment rally

Texas Republicans previously used aggressive tactics like the “dummymander” to target Democrats, though it has sometimes endangered GOP seats. Backlash has led to more caution.

Rep. Green removed for disrupting Trump

National Republican Redistricting Trust's Adam Kincaid stated, “Smart map-drawing can yield pickup opportunities while not putting our incumbents in jeopardy.”

Attorney General Paxton

Democrats have considered walkouts to deny legislative quorum, mirroring their actions from 2021. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) warned of arrest for lawmakers who do not attend.

Rep. Gervin-Hawkins at MLK Dinner

State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-TX) said, “We should be focusing on those families, how we can support them, how we can help them, how we can recover from the bodies that are missing. Yet, we’re trying to redistrict a map, cut out people’s rights to vote … I think it’s just an atrocity, and I think our leadership should be ashamed of what they’ve done.”

Jennifer White covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.