The Texas State House on Wednesday passed a new congressional map in an 88–52 vote, moving forward with a plan that adds five Republican-leaning districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The measure must now clear the state Senate before heading to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, according to Fox 4 News.
Abbott has pushed for redistricting to ensure Republicans don’t face a repeat of the 2018 midterms, when Democrats regained control of the U.S. House and blocked much of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda.
Democrats Flee the State — and Return
While Republicans hold a supermajority in Texas, Democrats initially stalled the process by fleeing the state to break quorum. The move sparked national headlines and drew financial support from Democratic donors, including groups tied to George Soros and Beto O’Rourke, to cover fines and travel expenses.
Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened arrests for the lawmakers who fled, while Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) asked the DOJ to investigate PACs funding the stunt.
On Monday, Democrats returned for a second special session after California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a proposed map that would add five new Democratic-leaning districts — an effort to counterbalance Texas’s GOP map. Their return cleared the way for Republicans to move ahead.
Accusations of “Rigged” Maps
Democrats blasted the new Texas plan as illegal and racially discriminatory. On the House floor, they attempted to add amendments that would have stalled the process, but Republicans shot down more than a dozen proposed changes.
“Members, it breaks my heart to see how this illegal and rigged, mid-decade redistricting scheme is dividing our state and our country,” said Democratic Rep. Chris Turner. “The impulses of outside politicians and their billionaire backers shouldn’t dictate what we do in this chamber.”
Republicans: Goal Is “Straightforward”
Republicans dismissed the criticism. Rep. Todd Hunter, who authored the bill, noted that four of the five new districts are majority-Hispanic, but emphasized that the goal was to strengthen Republican performance statewide.
“The underlying goal of this plan is straightforward: improve Republican political performance,” Hunter said.
Redistricting Battles Ahead
The showdown between Texas and California highlights a brewing redistricting arms race ahead of 2026. If both maps are approved, Texas’s five new GOP-leaning seats and California’s five new Democrat-leaning seats would largely cancel each other out in the battle for control of the U.S. House.
so now it comes out
DEMOCRATS ARE ANTI-HISPANIC