Trump pushes Texas Republicans to redraw maps, aiming to secure more GOP House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Trump Leads GOP Push for Texas Redistricting

President Donald Trump is taking an active role in Republican efforts to redraw Texas’s congressional maps, seeking to fortify the party’s narrow House majority as the 2026 midterm elections approach. The GOP-controlled Texas legislature will meet in a special session next week to consider changes that could shift the political balance by increasing the number of Republican-leaning districts.

Trump’s involvement reflects a broader national strategy to counter the historical trend of the party in power losing House seats during midterms. “Texas will be the biggest one,” Trump told reporters, predicting the redrawing could yield as many as five additional winnable seats for Republicans. He reiterated this ambition during a recent call with the Texas GOP congressional delegation, emphasizing the need for new GOP-friendly districts.

Currently, Democrats control only 12 of Texas’s 38 congressional districts, with one blue-leaning seat vacant after the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner. The GOP plan seeks to consolidate Democratic voters into fewer districts while expanding Republican influence in neighboring areas, a tactic aimed at reducing the risk of competitive races.

Legal, Political, and Strategic Risks

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, both staunch Trump allies, argue that redistricting is necessary to address Justice Department concerns over minority-dominated districts. However, the strategy carries risks, as veteran Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser notes: “There is some risk of making safe Republican seats more competitive… That’s the tradeoff for Republicans if you want to grow the majority.” He added that map-drawers are wary of making any seat too competitive, as it could backfire on incumbents.

Redistricting typically follows each decade’s census, but mid-decade changes, while uncommon, are not unprecedented. Trump’s push comes as Democrats accuse Texas Republicans of a power grab, vowing legal action to prevent changes that could dilute their representation. “Democrats are going to push back aggressively because it’s the right thing to do,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Meanwhile, Democrats are exploring similar strategies in blue states. California Governor Gavin Newsom suggested the Democratic-controlled legislature could attempt a mid-decade redistricting, despite the state’s independent commission established by a 17-year-old ballot initiative. Newsom also proposed repealing the commission through a special election before 2026, though both plans face significant hurdles.

Efforts to change congressional maps are also underway in other battleground states. In Wisconsin, Democrats are pursuing new litigation after the liberal state Supreme Court declined to intervene, while legal battles over redistricting are ongoing in Utah and Florida. Ohio, by law, must redraw its congressional districts this year, potentially adding up to three more Republican seats.

The outcome of these redistricting battles will shape the makeup of the House for years, as both parties seek every possible advantage in an increasingly competitive and polarized political landscape. As Republicans move swiftly in Texas, Democrats are gearing up for court fights and countermeasures nationwide, signaling a fierce contest for control of Congress in 2026.