Texas is redistricting in 2025 primarily because of a legal and political push driven by the Republican-majority state legislature to redraw congressional districts in a way that benefits Republicans ahead of the 2026 U.S. House elections. This effort was legally prompted by a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice allowing Texas to redraw its districts due to discrimination concerns in four majority-minority districts. Politically, the redistricting aims to gain about five additional Republican seats by reshaping districts, in line with pressure from former President Donald Trump and Republican leaders to maintain their slim majority in Congress. The redistricting plan has been met with resistance from Democrats, who argue it dilutes minority voting power by "packing" Black and Latino voters into fewer districts and "cracking" communities to weaken their influence. Democrats have used various tactics, including walkouts and fundraising, to oppose the plan. The Republican leadership, including Governor Greg Abbott, supports the effort, seeing it as crucial to preserving GOP control. The new maps would increase some majority-Hispanic and Black districts on paper but are criticized for potentially reducing real voting power due to population compositions. This mid-decade redistricting is part of a broader national trend among states to redraw districts for partisan advantage ahead of midterm elections.
