Texas Republicans are actively working to strengthen their appeal to Hispanic and Latino voters in recent elections.
On Wednesday, state Republicans announced a new congressional map plan that, if approved, could flip five Democratic seats come the 2026 midterm elections—four of those districts have majority Hispanic populations. Former President Donald Trump has urged Texas Republicans to redraw the legislative map in hopes of increasing the GOP’s narrow majority in the House of Representatives.
With Republicans gaining traction among Hispanic voters in Texas, there’s a belief that redistricting could bolster their seats. Hans A. Von Spakovsky, an election law expert and Senior Legal Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, noted that Trump’s support in Texas has grown significantly—from 34% in 2016 to 41% in 2020, and now, impressively, to 55% in 2024.
In the 2024 election, approximately 48% of Hispanic voters nationwide cast their ballots for Trump, marking a record for Republican presidential candidates—an increase from the 36% who voted for him in 2020. However, in Texas, Trump’s support among Hispanic voters was slightly below the overall vote share he received across the state.
Receiving 56.3% of votes in Texas, Trump surpassed then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who garnered 42.4%. Some analysts believe these Texas constituencies could be crucial for the GOP in upcoming midterms.
There’s a prevailing notion that Latino voters prioritize candidates based on how well they address financial issues. Republicans currently hold 25 out of Texas’ 38 House seats, and Trump’s influence was evident in 27 districts during the 2024 election.
Interestingly, two Hispanic moderate Democrats were reelected despite Trump winning their districts. For instance, Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar won a competitive race, securing re-election by a margin of six points, despite a seven-point lead for Trump in his district.
Experts suggest that the trends seen among Hispanic voters in Texas might not just be a fleeting phenomenon. Kyle Condik, an editor at Sabato’s Crystal Ball, stated that while Republicans have seen gains in heavily Latino areas of South Texas, this trend may continue in the mid-2026 elections despite losing some ground. He also pointed out that the new congressional map might not be necessary for Republicans to secure their interests in Texas.
Christian Martinez, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), highlighted that the Hispanic community is increasingly dissatisfied with Democrats. He argued that they’re rejecting the broader leftist agenda, blaming it for various issues, and seeing Republicans as a party of common sense.
