Potential delays to the March 3 Texas primary could occur due to the ongoing redistricting dispute, according to a congressman's statement.
In a move that has sparked controversy, Texas Republicans have approved new Congressional maps that have transformed five Democratic districts into Republican ones. The changes have left several Democratic representatives, including U.S. Representative Marc Veasey, facing potential shifts in their districts.
The newly drawn maps, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, have been met with immediate resistance. Organisations such as LULAC and the NAACP have filed lawsuits claiming the maps violate the Voting Rights Act because they are racially gerrymandered. Democrats in Texas have vowed a legal fight against the new maps, with various lawsuits aimed at blocking them.
Veasey, currently representing the 30th District, is considering running in the 33rd District as his home is now within that district's boundaries. However, he believes there are some series of voting rights violations in the new maps and doesn't think the court is ready to throw the voting rights out, particularly section two of the Voting Rights Act.
The preliminary injunction hearing to determine the legality of the maps is set to begin on October 1 and continue through October 10. Veasey predicts the Texas primary set for March 3 may have to be postponed due to this legal challenge, as a similar fight over redistricting in 2012 delayed the Texas primary from early March to late May. The primary runoff in 2012 did not take place until August that year.
The Cook Political Report has changed the ratings for several Texas Congressional districts due to the new maps. The 9th Congressional District in Houston is now considered "Solid R", the 28th Congressional District in South Texas is a "Toss Up", the 32nd Congressional District in North Texas is now "Solid R", the 34th Congressional District in South Texas is now "Lean R", and the 35th Congressional District in the Austin area is now "Likely R".
In North Texas, three Democratic Congress members (Crockett, Johnson, and Veasey) are facing changes in their districts due to the new maps. Julie Johnson may run in the 33rd District or the 24th Congressional District against Republican Beth Van Duyne.
Governor Abbott, however, maintains that the maps ensure fair representation in the U.S. Congress for Texas and will make Texas "more red" in Congress.
Political reporter Jack Fink of KTVT-TV covers the politics in Texas and provides regular updates on this developing story. As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of Texas' Congressional representation hangs in the balance.
