Doggett Uncertain About Reelection Amid Proposed Redistricting
Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) announced on Thursday that he would refrain from running for reelection in the newly drawn 37th Congressional District if the court endorses Texas Republicans’ redistricting map.
“If the court allows [President] Trump’s plan to prevail, securing control over the house of compliance, I won’t pursue reelection with a newly reconstructed CD37,” Doggett revealed in a statement.
This proposed map would hand five congressional seats to Texas Republicans and merge Doggett’s district with that of Representative Greg Casar (D-Texas) in the Austin area.
The potential matchup would see the 78-year-old Doggett, who was the first House Democrat to back former President Biden last year, go against Casar, 36, who leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
In the past, Doggett had encouraged Casar to run in the 35th Congressional District.
Texas Democrats viewed this announcement as a sign of resignation from Doggett regarding the redistricting battle, even before the new map receives official approval from the state legislature.
“I had hoped my commitment to reelection would inspire Congressman Casar not to abandon Trump’s winning district,” Doggett stated on Thursday.
“It’s disappointing to see his clear decision, but I’d rather spend the coming months combating Trump’s tyranny and serving Austin than facing off against fellow Democrats.”
Casar currently serves the 35th Congressional District, which comprises sections of the San Antonio Metro area and Austin. Doggett represents District 37, covering Austin and much of its suburbs.
The newly proposed map would shift the 37th Congressional District toward a more Democratic affiliation, while the new 35th District would lean more conservative, with less than 10% overlap from Casar’s current constituents. About two-thirds of Doggett’s base would remain in the redefined District 37, while the rest would come from Casar’s Austin region, which includes city council seats occupied from 2015 to 2022.
