Republicans’ Redistricting Plan Faces Backlash from Latino Organizations in Texas
On Thursday, Latino organizations accused Texas Republicans of undermining the Hispanic vote through a contentious plan to redraw the state’s congressional map, which aims to create five new federal districts that would favor the party of former President Donald Trump, reports 24brussels.
The proposal, introduced by the Texas Republican Party, emerges in a state where approximately 6.5 million Latinos are eligible to vote—nearly a third of the total electorate, according to the Pew Research Center.
Roman Palomares, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), condemned the initiative, stating, “This map is nothing less than the hijacking of democracy in plain sight. It is a blatant and unprecedented attempt to undermine democracy by diluting the power of Latino voters.” This plan is perceived as a strategic move to give Republicans an advantage in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Pressure from Trump on GOP lawmakers in various states has led to redistricting efforts aimed at consolidating Republican power in the U.S. House of Representatives, where they currently hold a narrow majority of 220 to 212.
The organization Voto Latino voiced concerns about the implications of the redistricting initiative being pushed during a special legislative session convened by Governor Greg Abbott, a deviation from the usual ten-year cycle that occurs after the U.S. Census.
“These racially drawn maps are designed to harm and erode Latino influence—the largest and fastest-growing demographic group in Texas. From the start, Texas Republicans operated without transparency,” Voto Latino stated.
This new plan threatens the congressional districts currently represented by Democrats, including Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez in southern Texas, as well as progressive Greg Casar in central Texas. If enacted, Republicans could control 30 of the 38 congressional seats, an increase from the current 25.
The Democratic Party has also denounced the proposed redistricting, asserting it is intended to reflect Trump’s interests rather than the diverse voices of Texans. “It is illegally drawn in a way that silences the voices of minority communities across Texas. When Donald Trump knows he can’t win, he cheats,” said Kendall Scudder, the Democratic leader in Texas.
This development continues to highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding electoral integrity and representation in Texas, raising critical questions about the impact of political maneuvering on minority communities.
