Texas Holds First Elections Since Gerrymandering Overhaul

The state's new congressional map has drastically changed the political landscape ahead of key primary races.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Texas is holding its first elections under a new congressional map drawn last summer by state Republicans, which was made at the behest of former President Trump to help the GOP in the 2026 midterm elections. The move set off a nationwide redistricting arms race, with roughly one in three Texas voters now living in a House district that is very different from before. Several longtime Democratic incumbents are headed out of Congress or facing tough primary battles, while Republicans have gained new opportunities. However, the political environment has shifted, and Democrats believe they could hold on to as many as three of the redrawn seats.

Why it matters

The Texas redistricting battle is a watershed moment in national politics, with the state's new congressional map potentially having major implications for the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The fallout from this gerrymandering war is being closely watched across the country, as it could set a precedent for how states approach redistricting in the future.

The details

Last summer, Republicans in the Texas Legislature convened a special session and created five new Republican-leaning congressional districts at the behest of former President Trump. This was an unusual move, as it altered the state's districts in the middle of a decade. The new map has drastically changed the political landscape, with roughly one in three Texas voters now living in a House district that is very different from before. Several longtime Democratic incumbents, whose districts were redrawn to benefit Republicans, are headed out of Congress or facing tough primary battles. Meanwhile, conservative state senators have new opportunities to run for Congress, and some Republican incumbents are facing challenges from their right.

  • The Texas Legislature convened a special session last summer to redraw the state's congressional map.
  • Gov. Greg Abbott signed the new maps into law in August 2025.

The players

Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas who signed the new congressional map into law.

Donald Trump

The former president who pressured the state of Texas to examine how district lines could be redrawn to try to save the Republican party's endangered majority in 2026.

Lloyd Doggett

A Democratic congressman from Austin who has represented Texas in Congress for more than 30 years, but chose to retire rather than run against another Austin Democrat in a primary race after his district was drastically changed.

Marc Veasey

A Democratic congressman from the Fort Worth area who announced he would not run for re-election after he was drawn out of his seat.

Dan Crenshaw

A Republican congressman who is facing a challenge from his right in a district that became more conservative on the new map.

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What they’re saying

“Texas is now more red in the United States Congress.”

— Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas (The New York Times)

“The assumption that Latino voters who voted for Trump in 2024 would continue to vote Republican is potentially a bad assumption. We have a good shot at this.”

— Michelle Lowe Solis, Chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party (The New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the new congressional map to be used in the upcoming elections.

The takeaway

The Texas redistricting battle has set off a nationwide gerrymandering arms race, with the fallout potentially having major implications for the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The state's new congressional map has drastically changed the political landscape, creating new uncertainties for the November general election.