Texas is bracing for a political showdown as state Republicans push forward with a controversial mid-decade redistricting proposal that could significantly reshape the state’s representation in Washington. The draft map, introduced last week in the Texas House, could potentially add as many as five Republican-held seats to the U.S. House of Representatives — while dramatically altering the political fate of some Democratic incumbents.
One of the most high-profile targets is Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who currently represents Texas’ 30th Congressional District, covering much of Dallas. The proposed changes would redraw her district boundaries to incorporate more Republican-leaning areas, making it far more difficult for her to retain her seat.
Crockett has been outspoken in her opposition, calling the move “a power grab to silence voters.” She noted that before the release of the proposed map, several Democratic lawmakers — including herself — were asked to confirm their home addresses, a step she described as highly unusual and politically suspicious.
Democrats Face Collisions in New Map
The proposed redistricting would also force some Democrats into direct competition with each other. In Austin, for example, the new boundaries would place Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who currently represents the 37th District, in the same district as Rep. Greg Casar of the neighboring 35th District. Both are Democrats, meaning a primary fight between two incumbents could become inevitable if the map is approved.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D–NY), while not representing any district in Texas, has thrown his weight behind the opposition. At a press conference in Austin last week, Jeffries declared the redistricting battle an “all-hands-on-deck moment,” vowing to challenge the plan politically, legally, and in the court of public opinion.
“We will fight them politically. We will fight them governmentally. We will fight them in court,” Jeffries said. “Texas Democrats will not bend the knee.”
Republicans, however, point out that Democratic-led states such as New York and California have drawn their own maps in ways that minimize Republican influence, despite having substantial GOP voter bases.
Democrats Flee State to Block Quorum
The fight escalated when a group of Texas Democrats fled the state entirely, traveling to Democratic-controlled states like Illinois in an effort to prevent the Texas House from reaching a quorum — the minimum number of lawmakers required to conduct business. Their absence has effectively stalled the redistricting plan’s progress, at least temporarily.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) welcomed the Texas lawmakers, promising to protect them from efforts by Texas officials to compel their return.
“They’re here in Illinois, and we’re going to do everything we can to protect every single one of them,” Pritzker said at a Sunday night press conference alongside the visiting Texas legislators. “They’re doing the right thing. It’s Texas leaders who are trying to break the law.”
The dispute has also drawn national attention because of its potential impact on the 2026 midterm elections. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) and President Donald Trump have both backed the new map, framing it as a necessary step to reflect population shifts and strengthen Republican representation in Congress.
What Happens Next
On Saturday, a Texas House panel approved the proposed maps, sending them to the full chamber for debate and a potential vote. But with Democratic lawmakers still absent from the state, the timeline for passage remains uncertain. If the plan survives the legislative process, legal challenges are almost certain to follow, with Democrats arguing the proposal violates federal voting rights protections and disenfranchises minority communities.
For now, the standoff continues — with Texas’ political future, and perhaps the balance of power in Congress, hanging in the balance.