Texas Republicans vow to go nuclear in redistricting row

Texas Republicans are growing strain on Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to dam a GOP redistricting plan. In interviews and a podcast look, Gov. Greg Abbott threatened not solely to name infinite particular classes till his map passes however so as to add extra right-wing seats if Democrats don’t give in.

“What I’m thinking now is that if they don’t start showing up, I may start expanding,” Abbott mentioned on the “Ruthless” podcast Friday. “We may make it six or seven or eight new seats we’re going to be adding on the Republican side.”

Earlier within the week, greater than 50 Democrats left Texas to stop the passage of a GOP-drawn congressional map that may enhance the variety of GOP-held seats from 25 to 30 forward of the 2026 midterms.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott

“We are in the process, as we speak right now, of searching for, preparing to arrest Democrats who may be in Texas, may be elsewhere,” Abbott mentioned Thursday night. “Democrats act like they’re not going to come back as long as this is an issue. That means they’re not going to come back until like 2027 or 2028.”

The GOP-controlled state Home has accepted civil arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers, and Texas Lawyer Common Ken Paxton has threatened authorized motion to take away them from workplace. Abbott has already filed a lawsuit searching for to oust Texas Home Democratic Chief Gene Wu, calling his departure “an intentional abandonment of his constitutional duty.” Wu should reply to Abbott’s lawsuit by Friday, although it’s unclear when the justices will resolve.

Chatting with NBC, Abbott didn’t affirm or deny whether or not federal brokers are concerned.

“I’m not going to disclose, though all may or may not be involved,” he mentioned.

President Donald Trump stays a central pressure behind Texas’ redistricting push. Involved his celebration will lose Home seats in 2026, he’s demanded that the state carve out 5 extra purple seats, even declaring that he’s “entitled” to them. 

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Nevertheless it’s not simply Texas. Trump has signaled help for related efforts in different GOP-led states. And on Thursday, he floated the concept of conducting a brand new census that excludes undocumented residents—an unprecedented transfer prone to set off authorized challenges.

Redrawing congressional maps mid-decade is unusual. States normally solely achieve this after the decennial census. However this redistricting cycle, pushed partly by intense partisan stakes, has escalated right into a nationwide competitors.

The result in Texas might reshape the steadiness of energy in Congress, the place Republicans presently maintain a slender 219-212 edge. Including a number of new seats might safe Trump’s management of the Home for the remainder of his second time period.

If Democrats proceed their boycott, Abbott has hinted that Republicans may push for an much more skewed map. Nevertheless, this plan isn’t foolproof, as it could contain weakening the partisan benefit in present GOP districts, probably risking backlash from incumbents.

If the Texas Supreme Court docket approves Abbott’s request to take away Wu, he might name a particular election to switch him and presumably repeat the method for different Democrats. With six of the 9 justices appointed by Abbott, the chances could also be in his favor.

Paxton, for his half, mentioned he would go to court docket on Friday if Democrats don’t return. He admitted it gained’t be straightforward, as lawsuits should be filed within the lawmakers’ dwelling districts—a lot of which lean Democratic.

“Districts that are not friendly to Republicans,” he mentioned.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom

Republicans are pursuing related redistricting efforts in Florida, Ohio, and Missouri. Additionally, Vice President JD Vance met with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and state lawmakers on Thursday to discover choices.

Nonetheless, Abbott’s menace to increase Texas’s map is greater than political posturing: It’s a warning. If Democrats don’t return quickly, the state might rapidly change into the middle of a redistricting arms race with nationwide implications.