Texas state Republicans on Wednesday released a new draft congressional map which makes significant changes to districts held by Democrats across the state.
The Lone Star State’s House delegation currently comprises 25 Republicans and 12 Democrats, with one vacancy following the March death of Democrat Sylvester Turner. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott added redistricting to the ongoing special legislative session agenda following encouragement by President Donald Trump and his allies, who say they hope to pick up as many as five seats currently held by Texas Democrats. Gains in Texas could help House Republicans preserve their threadbare majority in next year’s midterms elections.
The new draft map would target Democratic-held seats in Austin, Houston, San Antonio and the Dallas-Fort Worth area —where a majority of the state’s Democratic delegation is concentrated.
