Texas Rep. Doggett Won’t Seek Reelection If GOP Maps Upheld

Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett announced he will not seek reelection if the new Republican-drawn congressional maps are upheld by the courts, which would merge his Austin-based district with that of fellow Democrat Greg Casar. The redistricting effort, supported by Governor Greg Abbott and approved by the Texas House, aims to add five seats for Republicans and redraw districts in a way that could diminish Democratic power, including making Casar's current district more conservative. Doggett, a longtime representative of Austin for over 30 years, expressed hope that the courts would reject the maps, which he described as racially gerrymandered and a scheme to maintain Trump-aligned control of the House. He urged Casar to maintain his winnable district and avoid a primary battle, preferring to focus on combating what he termed "Trump tyranny." Casar responded by praising Doggett's legacy and reaffirming their shared commitment to democracy. The new maps would dramatically reshape Texas congressional districts, forcing difficult decisions for Democratic incumbents and potentially impacting the 2026 midterm elections.