Texas Rep. Doggett Responds to Redistricting Ruling

Texas Democratic Congressman Lloyd Doggett made it clear he isn’t stepping down after a federal judge decided against a Republican-led redistricting initiative in Texas.

Earlier this year, Doggett had hinted at retirement plans when new redistricting maps, crafted by the Texas Republican Party, placed him in direct competition with fellow Democratic Rep. Greg Casar. However, the recent court decision has put those maps in doubt.

“As Mark Twain might say, the political rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated,” Doggett shared in a social media video.

He continued, expressing gratitude for the chance to represent his long-time community amid what he described as the most challenging times for democracy he has witnessed. “Thank you,” he added.

Federal Ruling Against Redistricting

The ruling came from a panel of federal judges who voted 2-1, determining that Republican redistricting efforts constituted illegal race-based gerrymandering.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, a Trump appointee, articulated in the majority opinion, which included Judge David Guaderama, also appointed by Obama, that while politics influenced the drawing of the 2025 map, evidence indicated a substantial racial gerrymandering effort had taken place.

Judge Jerry Smith, appointed by Reagan, dissented without providing an explanation.

This decision represents a significant setback for the Trump administration, especially as Trump and Republican supporters vie to maintain a narrow House majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This includes urging certain states to undertake rare mid-decade redistricting efforts.

Lawmakers in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio have each revised their congressional maps as part of these efforts.

Tensions Continue Over Congressional Maps

In response to the ruling, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced plans to appeal. He mentioned that Texas would seek an emergency stay from the Supreme Court to temporarily halt the lower court’s decision.

Governor Greg Abbott openly criticized the court’s ruling, asserting that Texas lawmakers aimed to redraw congressional maps to accurately reflect the conservative leanings of Texans—nothing more. “Claims that these maps are discriminatory are simply absurd and unsupported by any testimony presented during the hearings,” he stated.