A federal court in Texas has halted the state’s newly redrawn, GOP-favored congressional map from taking effect in the 2026 midterms — a major setback for Texas Republicans and for former President Donald Trump’s push to flip Democratic districts.
In a 2–1 ruling, a three-judge panel in El Paso sided with civil rights groups that argued the summer-drawn map was racially gerrymandered and crafted at Trump’s urging during Texas’ unusual mid-decade redistricting sprint. The judges ordered the state to revert to its 2021 map for the upcoming elections.
Judge Jeffrey V. Brown — a Trump appointee — wrote in a 160-page opinion that the evidence “strongly indicates” the 2025 map was engineered in a way that diluted the political power of Black and Latino voters. He cited federal concerns raised by the Justice Department over the racial makeup of several districts. Judge David Guaderrama joined the decision, while Judge Jerry Smith dissented.
Civil rights leaders called the ruling a major win for minority voters. They argued the state intentionally dismantled districts where voters of color formed a majority — a practice they say violates the Constitution.
The decision marks another blow to Trump’s wider effort to pressure GOP-led states into redrawing maps before 2026. Indiana Republicans already rejected his request last week, prompting public frustration from Trump.
Democrats, meanwhile, have moved aggressively in blue states. California passed its own heavily pro-Democratic map this year, with Virginia and other states considering similar moves. If the Texas ruling stands, Democrats could emerge with a strategic advantage — though lawsuits targeting the new California map add more uncertainty.
Complicating the national fight is a looming Supreme Court case that could weaken the Voting Rights Act. If the justices strike down key protections that allow mapmakers to consider race, Southern states could overhaul their districts and potentially eliminate Democratic seats held by people of color.
Texas Republicans, however, insist their map is legal and driven purely by partisanship — which the Supreme Court has permitted since 2019. Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court, calling accusations of racial discrimination “absurd.” Attorney General Ken Paxton defended what Trump has dubbed the “Big Beautiful Map,” insisting Texas is well within its rights to engage in partisan redistricting.
The political clock is now ticking: candidate filing deadlines hit early next month, and primaries begin in March. Texas Republicans redrew the map this summer during a special session called by Abbott, aiming to flip as many as five Democratic seats by targeting urban and border districts. Democrats briefly stalled the effort by leaving the state to block a quorum, but the map ultimately passed.
After Tuesday’s ruling, Democratic lawmakers who opposed the redistricting effort said the decision proved their concerns were justified.
In its opinion, the court pointed to comments from Abbott and legislative leaders indicating they altered district lines to address federal racial-composition concerns — undercutting their claim that the map was guided solely by political goals.
The judges concluded that civil rights groups are likely to prove Texas engaged in unconstitutional racial gerrymandering when the case goes to trial.