By Anthony Council
Texas Metro News
Corespondent
Texas House Republicans released new congressional redistricting maps on Wednesday, aiming to shift at least five seats currently held by Democrats. The changes could push Republican control of the state’s 38 U.S. House seats from 25 to as many as 30.
The map was introduced by Rep. Todd Hunter (R–Corpus Christi), sparking concern among voting rights advocates and Democratic leaders across the state. Redistricting determines how communities are represented in Congress, and critics say the new maps could dilute the power of minority voters and shift political control for the next decade.
The new proposal impacts several urban areas, including Houston, Austin, South Texas, and notably the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, where Districts 32 and 33 face dramatic changes designed to favor Republican candidates. District 32, currently represented by Democrat Julie Johnson, includes parts of North and East Dallas. The district is about 36% Hispanic, 19% Black, 32% White, and 8% Asian.
District 33, held by Democrat Marc Veasey, has a similar racial makeup, with around 58% Hispanic and 19% Black residents. The proposed changes have sparked criticism from across the region.
Deborah Morris, former Garland City Councilwoman, offered a blunt assessment:
“To me, it’s both morally wrong and a sign of weakness. That’s the bottom line.”
Robert John Smith, who authored the recently passed anti-gerrymandering amendment to his city’s charter, was equally direct:
“Gerrymandering is a partisan cheat code. It’s a morally and ethically wrong tactic used by politicians to hold on to power.”
Under the new redistricting plan, District 33 would lose much of Fort Worth, and District 32 would be stretched into more rural, conservative areas. These changes would break up strong Black and Latino neighborhoods, making both districts more favorable for Republicans. As a result, it would become harder for Democrats to win and would weaken their influence in these areas.
These proposed changes come after Donald Trump won key parts of DFW in the 2024 presidential election, flipping Tarrant County back into Republican hands and gaining traction among suburban voters.
A public hearing on the proposed congressional redistricting maps is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. in Austin, hosted by the Texas House of Representatives.
