The Texas Senate approved the new congressional map and sent the bill to Gov. Greg Abbott. A lawsuit challenging the redrawn districts as being racially discriminatory was filed before Abbott could sign the bill, which he has promised to do soon. The Texas Tribune reported that the redrawn map, which could give Republicans five additional congressional seats in 2026, has been challenged by two law firms filing on behalf of 13 Texas residents collectively called “the Gonzales plaintiffs.”
In addition, the NAACP, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Mexican American Legislative Caucus have joined LULAC in two additional suits against Abbott that call the maps unconstitutional and “intentionally discriminatory.”
Abbott’s office defended the maps. Andrew Mahaleris, the governor’s press secretary, said they allow “more Texans to vote for the candidate of their choice,” noting that Hispanic Texans are increasingly moving away from Democrats.
