Texas lawmakers are debating a rare mid-decade redistricting. North Texas residents have a chance to weigh in on July 28.
DALLAS — The Texas House Redistricting Committee heard hours of public testimony Thursday in Austin as lawmakers consider redrawing the state’s congressional map — a move prompted by President Donald Trump and added to the special session agenda by Governor Greg Abbott.
The hearing, which began around 2 p.m. and continued into the evening, focused on 14 of the state’s 38 congressional districts, many of which are in North Texas. Though no official map has been released, the possibility of a mid-decade redraw is already drawing criticism and legal threats.
Inside the hearing room, lawmakers expressed confusion and frustration. “I’m personally very confused about why exactly we are here,” said Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston).
Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) bluntly said, “I just resent this.”
A handful of Democratic members of Congress traveled to the Capitol to testify, calling the redistricting effort a political maneuver designed to favor Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections.
“We are pretending that the governor did not approve the very maps he is now insisting be changed,” said Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-Houston).
Rumors of proposed maps sparked fears that the changes would dilute Black and Latino voting power, especially in urban districts.
“This process is aimed at removing Black congressional representatives. Three of those four seats are Black seats,” said Rep. Jon Rosenthal (D-Houston).
Republican strategist Alfredo Rodriguez shared his thoughts on the minority opposition on WFAA’s Y’allatics podcast. “They’ll certainly try to stop this,” Rodriguez said. “I would go so far as to say they have no power to stop this. This is going to happen.”
Still, Rodriguez acknowledged that mid-cycle redistricting is politically messy — especially for incumbent members of Congress who may be forced to surrender parts of their safely partisan districts.
Supporters of redistricting argue the process could fix alleged Democratic gerrymandering and better reflect current voter trends. But even some Republicans are privately concerned the changes could backfire during the midterm elections.
For now, the debate continues — without a map to evaluate and with no clear timeline for when one might be released.
Public Hearing in DFW Area
Residents in North Texas will have an opportunity to weigh in at a second public hearing at 5 p.m. on July 28 at the Rosebud Theater in Arlington.
Anyone wishing to speak at the hearing must contact committee clerk Edward Jaax in advance at 512-463-9948.
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