Texas Governor Abbott Warns of Eliminating 10 Democratic Districts Amid Redistricting Dispute with California

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott has warned that if Democratic-led states like California attempt to redraw congressional maps to counteract GOP gains, Texas has the capacity to eliminate up to 10 Democratic-held U.S. House seats within the state. Abbott argues that many large blue states, including California, Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts, have already extensively gerrymandered their districts and have limited options left for further redistricting. The Texas GOP aims to gain five additional seats in the House through redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms, a move that Democrats are actively resisting by fleeing the state legislature to block a quorum. California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to call a special session to redraw maps in response to Texas’s efforts, while other blue states like New York and Illinois are also considering their own redistricting strategies. Abbott's statements underscore the ongoing and escalating national battle over congressional maps, with both parties seeking to maximize their representation through strategic redistricting. The conflict highlights heightened partisan tensions as Republicans seek to capitalize on vulnerabilities ahead of next year’s elections.