Chicago Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025
Redistricting Row Erupts in Texas as Republicans Push Trump-Backed Plan
Texas Republicans are redrawing the state’s congressional district map in a high-risk, high-reward move backed by President Donald Trump. The goal is to gain up to five additional House seats, protecting the party’s narrow 220-212 majority in the House. Currently, Republicans control 25 of Texas’ 38 congressional districts, nearly two-thirds of the state’s districts. Trump expects this effort to yield more Republican seats, but redistricting experts warn it could backfire.
Redistricting experts, like Michael Li from New York University’s Brennan Center for Justice, consider this move unprecedented. “This is totally unprecedented for a party to redraw its own map,” Li said, adding that it could put Republican seats at risk. Suzan DelBene, a Democratic congresswoman, agrees, stating that breaking up Democratic-held districts would weaken Republican districts already facing headwinds.
The new map might target Democratic Representatives Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, whose districts swung toward Trump in 2024. However, gaining five seats seems challenging. Democrats have expressed disapproval, criticizing Republicans for pursuing redistricting during a special session focused on flood prevention funding after the deadly July 4 flash flooding. With a Republican-dominated legislature, Democrats have limited recourse.
