Texas and Florida Launch Major Redistricting Efforts

Texas Republicans have proposed a new redistricting map that could provide the GOP with five additional U.S. House seats, drawing criticism from Democrats and Latino leaders who argue it would dilute minority voting power, especially in Harris County. The plan would also force Democratic incumbents Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett into the same district, potentially reducing Democratic representation in the Austin area. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat and other Texas Democrats have condemned the plan as undemocratic and targeted at Latino voters. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is advocating for a rare mid-decade redistricting and possibly a new census, citing rapid population growth and alleged undercounting in the 2020 census as reasons Florida deserves more congressional seats. DeSantis claims Democratic strongholds could be affected by new maps and criticizes blue states for overcounting populations by including undocumented immigrants. Both Texas and Florida are central to ongoing partisan redistricting battles ahead of the next election cycle.