Texas Republicans are working on redrawing congressional districts to expand their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, ahead of the upcoming competitive midterm elections in 2026. Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, a Democrat from Texas, suggested that Democrats should respond with similar tactics.
O’Rourke expressed his support for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s efforts to redraw the state’s districts to strengthen Democratic control during a discussion at the Center for American Progress. He justified this move by stating that the country already has an authoritarian leader and emphasized the importance of securing the future of democracy.
The former presidential candidate criticized his own party for prioritizing being right over gaining power. O’Rourke stressed the need for Democrats to be focused on winning elections and not just on ideological correctness.
In Texas, the GOP-controlled state legislature is in a special session to work on redistricting. The goal is to reduce the number of districts held by Democrats, aligning with a broader national strategy by the Republican party to maintain control of the House.
Former President Donald Trump is actively involved in these efforts, aiming to create new favorable seats for Republicans through redistricting. The plan involves relocating voters strategically to influence the outcome of elections in certain districts.
Democrats have raised concerns about this redistricting as a power grab by the Republicans. Legal action is being considered to challenge any changes to the current congressional maps. Both parties are gearing up for a political battle over redistricting, with California also contemplating similar tactics to gain more seats.
While mid-decade redistricting is unusual, the current political climate has prompted both parties to explore this option. The fight over redistricting is likely to intensify as Democrats and Republicans strategize to secure their positions in Congress. A new study has found that regular exercise can significantly decrease the risk of developing dementia later in life. The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, followed a group of participants over the course of several years to track their exercise habits and cognitive function.
The results showed that those who engaged in regular physical activity were up to 40% less likely to develop dementia compared to those who were sedentary. The researchers believe that exercise may help protect the brain by reducing inflammation and promoting the growth of new brain cells.
Lead researcher Dr. Smith stated, “Our findings suggest that maintaining an active lifestyle can have a protective effect on brain health and may help to prevent cognitive decline as we age.”
This study adds to a growing body of research highlighting the importance of exercise for maintaining cognitive function and overall brain health. Experts recommend engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week to reap the brain-boosting benefits.
