Texas Gov. Greg Abbott orders lawmakers to consider redistricting as GOP seeks midterm advantage

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Source: CNN Politics

Published 7:25 PM EDT, Wed July 9, 2025


CNN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday directed lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map as part of a special session that kicks off later this month, as the GOP seeks to retain its narrow US House majority after next year’s midterm elections. Abbott added redistricting to a packed agenda for the session, which includes measures to improve early warning systems for flooding and provide relief money to people affected by the devastating flooding over the July 4th weekend in central Texas. The special session is slated to open July 21. Abbott has the sole authority to set its agenda.

Democrats need a net gain of just three seats to win the House in the midterms, raising the stakes for Republicans and President Donald Trump, who could see a Democratic-controlled House block his legislative agenda and open new investigations of him in the second half of his final term.

It is rare for states to undertake a mid-decade redistricting without a court order to do so. But Texas is one of two states where Republicans are pushing to change congressional districts this year in the hopes of ousting several longtime Democratic lawmakers. Some Republicans are hoping new maps in Texas could result in the GOP picking up as many as five additional seats to shore up their chances of retaining the House majority.

The top Democrat in the House, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, on Wednesday criticized Abbott’s action. “While Texans battle tragic and deadly flooding, Governor Abbott and House Republicans are plotting a mid-decade gerrymander,” Jeffries wrote on X. “They should be modernizing emergency response — not rigging maps.”

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/09/politics/texas-abbott-redistricting-gop-midterms

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Hakeem Jeffries
@hakeemjeffries
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While Texans battle tragic and deadly flooding, Governor Abbott and House Republicans are plotting a mid-decade gerrymander.

They should be modernizing emergency response — not rigging maps.

Pass it on.
Any attempt at a mid-decade redistricting would require the Texas Legislature to approve new maps.
nytimes.com
White House Pushes Texas to Redistrict, Hoping to Blunt Democratic Gains
A rare mid-decade redistricting push has unnerved some Texas Republicans, who worry a drive to harm Democrats could end up endangering G.O.P. incumbents in 2026.
2:50 PM · Jul 9, 2025