Texas Democrats have the last laugh over MAGA gerrymandering

[marmar]

Texas Democrats have the last laugh over MAGA gerrymandering
After initial success in Texas, Trump's 2026 gerrymandering strategy is facing roadblocks

By Heather Digby Parton
Columnist
Published November 13, 2025 9:00AM (EST)


(Salon) In case anyone wonders if there’s any point in taking a stand only to be forced to capitulate down the road, I would invite you to consider an episode from last summer.

When Republican members of the Texas legislature passed a bill to redraw the state’s congressional map — and give the GOP five additional seats in the House of Representatives — at the behest of President Donald Trump, Democratic lawmakers fled the state to deny the GOP a quorum and delay the vote. They were threatened with arrest and handed massive fines. But in the end, they returned. The GOP not only passed the legislation, but they also exacted retribution against the Democrats.

....(snip)....

Although the Texas Democrats didn’t succeed in stopping the Republicans, their doomed strategy achieved something just as important: It brought national attention to the Machiavellian tactics the GOP was employing to maintain its congressional majority in 2026. And that has resulted in a state-by-state battle across the country that just may end up backfiring on the Republicans.

....(snip)....

Like the Texas Democrats, Newsom decided to go ahead and call a special election, and then set out to sell the idea. On Nov. 4, after four months of elevating the issue, Prop 50 passed with nearly 65% of California voters in favor. The risk paid off — California’s new map will effectively cancel out the five seats Texas added, and instead of being engineered in a backroom, it was done with the explicit approval of Californians.

....(snip)....

Other states are now following their lead. Just before the election, Virginia Democrats signaled they are ready to redraw their congressional map, and after they decimated the GOP in the Nov. 4 election, they will soon be in a position to do it. Illinois and Maryland could soon do the same. ....................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2025/11/13/texas-democrats-have-the-last-laugh-over-maga-gerrymandering/