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Democratic lawmakers in Texas are fiercely opposing the state’s plan to redraw its congressional map. However, critics, including a prominent member of their own party, argue that they do not have the moral high ground.
These Democratic legislators have left the state to avoid voting on redistricting, which is anticipated to increase Republican seats in Congress for Texas. They are receiving a warm welcome as they travel to blue states, where several governors have pledged to gerrymander Republicans out of their own Congressional delegations in response to the Texas initiative.
Despite the opposition, Democratic strategist Julian Epstein acknowledged on “Fox News Live” that his party is not free from criticism. Many blue states have already engaged in gerrymandering practices that limit Republican representation in Congress.
Epstein highlighted that states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Mexico have no Republicans in their House delegations, with districts seemingly designed to minimize GOP representation.
He cautioned that the ongoing nationwide redistricting battle could lead to a “race to the bottom,” potentially leaving individuals in states governed by the opposing party feeling excluded from the democratic process.
Meanwhile, Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican, criticized Democrats for their “hypocrisy and faux outrage,” stating that they have been complicit in redrawing congressional maps to benefit their party’s interests.
California is considering a special election in response to the Texas redistricting plan, with Governor Gavin Newsom expressing confidence in gaining five seats through this initiative.
Harrison explained that Texas’s push for redistricting is driven by factors such as population growth since the last census.
