3 weeks ago
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As Republicans in Texas and Democrats in California strong-arm their way toward redrawing congressional maps, it can be dizzying to keep up.
One way to understand what’s happening is to ask a simple question: Which party will come out ahead?
Possible redistricting efforts could favor Republicans
The New York Times
Republicans currently hold a 219-212 edge over Democrats in the House of Representatives, with four vacancies (three seats that had been held by Democrats who died and one by a Republican who resigned.)
But with President Trump fretting that Democrats could gain control of the House after next year’s elections, Republican state legislators are frantically trying to gerrymander the maps to give themselves more of a cushion. And Democrats are scrambling to respond.
The result? If everything goes according to plan — a big if — Republicans could gain six or seven seats, putting the House farther out of reach for Democrats. Here’s how:
In Progress
Texas
A new congressional map advanced in the Texas Senate on Thursday, and Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, is expected to sign it on Monday. Republicans — who now hold 25 seats, versus 12 for the Democrats (expected to be 13, once a vacant seat in Houston is filled in November) — want to add five seats.
