Democratic Nationwide Committee Chair Ken Martin will journey to Houston in the present day to satisfy with Texas Democrats to debate how you can finest combat again towards Republican efforts to redraw the state’s congressional maps, a DNC supply aware of the planning instructed NBC Information.
Martin is slated to satisfy with Texas state Home Democratic Minority Chief Gene Wu, different members of the Texas Democratic legislative caucus and Democratic-aligned teams within the state to debate methods in battling these efforts, the supply mentioned. Martin was invited by Texas Democrats to strategize on how they’ll “gear as much as combat again towards Republicans’ blatant energy seize,” the supply mentioned.
In a press release to NBC Information, Martin mentioned, “If Texas Republicans need a showdown, we’ll give them a showdown.”
Martin’s journey comes days forward of a particular legislative session — introduced final week by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and because of kick off Monday — that may embrace on its agenda consideration of the redrawing the state’s congressional maps.
Including Republican-leaning seats in Texas might assist congressional Republicans maintain on to their slender U.S. Home majority in subsequent yr’s midterm elections.
“Proper now, People all throughout the nation are considering of the victims of the horrible floods in Texas. You recognize who isn’t? Governor Abbott. He’s taking orders from Donald Trump to rig the midterm elections. We’re not going to face for it,” Martin added.
The New York Instances reported final month that members of Trump’s political operation had privately urged Texas Republicans to redraw their maps forward of the 2026 midterms — and Trump himself Wednesday very publicly lauded the efforts, urging lawmakers to take actions that may assist them acquire 5 Home seats.
“A quite simple redrawing, we choose up 5 seats,” Trump instructed reporters.
Republicans maintain a slim 220-212 benefit within the Home. In Texas, they already management 25 of the 38 congressional districts. However padding the GOP’s majority by even just some seats in Texas might complicate Democrats’ skill to take management of the Home in 2026.
The likelihood has ignited a dialog amongst Democrats on how you can finest combat again. For instance, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a possible 2028 presidential contender, floated redrawing his personal state’s maps to counter the Republican efforts in Texas. Doing so, although, would include main obstacles: An impartial fee controls the redistricting course of in California, not the governor.
Martin, nevertheless, lauded Newsom’s threats in his assertion, and mentioned he’d again the Californian’s efforts.
“Democrats like Governor Gavin Newsom are able to punch again at this cowardly try to make use of catastrophe reduction to rig the maps for Republicans, and the DNC is true there with him,” Martin mentioned.
