Texas: New Redistricting Ruling

The US Supreme Court just dealt the Texas Democratic plaintiffs a major blow in the ongoing Lone Star State congressional redistricting saga.  After originally declaring Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s (D-Austin) 35th District illegal in 2013 and then issuing a temporary fix, the legislature and courts continued to make changes up through the present time.  Several weeks ago, the three judge federal panel ordered Districts 27 (Rep. Blake Farenthold-R-Corpus Christi) and Mr. Doggett’s 35th re-drawn because of racial gerrymandering. 
 
The Republicans countered with their own lawsuit, destined for the Supreme Court for final adjudication.  Before the high court will hear the case the 5-4 majority stayed the lower court ruling, thus returning to the map that hosted the 2014 and 2016 elections.  That plan produced Republican victories in 25 of the state’s 36 districts.  With the Supreme Court likely not hearing this case for several months, the chances of having a new map ready in time for the 2018 election cycle is now less likely.

--Jim Ellis