Republicans Adopt Gerrymandering Tactics—And Democrats Are Suddenly Outraged

Louisville, Kentucky – March 20, 2017: President Donald J. Trump addresses a crowd at a rally inside Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 20, 2017.

For decades, Democrats have used aggressive gerrymandering to maintain political power in states where their actual voter strength is far weaker than their representation suggests. Now that Republicans are adopting the same strategy, Democrats are crying foul.

Gerrymandering—redrawing district boundaries to favor one party—has long been one of the Left’s most potent election tools. The practice can either consolidate opposition voters into a single district or dilute them across multiple districts, weakening their influence. It’s a strategy Democrats have mastered, using it to stay in power even in states where their policies are deeply unpopular.

Texas Republicans are now using that same playbook. This week, they released a proposed revision to the state’s congressional map that would create five new districts in areas where President Donald Trump won by 10 points or more in 2024.

Texas Republicans have released a proposed revision to the congressional map for the state and it will create FIVE congressional seats in areas where President Donald Trump won by 10 points or more in November. It targets vulnerable Democrat districts and gives Republicans a meaningful chance at turning them into red districts.

If adopted, the changes could deliver Republicans a net gain of up to 10 congressional seats—a seismic shift for a party currently holding a razor-thin House majority.

Unsurprisingly, Democrats are furious. They argue the GOP is attempting to “rig” the 2026 midterms—ignoring the fact that they’ve spent years using the same tactic in their own states.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), one of the loudest critics, didn’t hold back:

 

That statement drew immediate pushback. California is hardly a model of fairness—out of 52 congressional districts, only 9 are represented by Republicans, despite roughly 40% of the state voting red. The state’s maps have been called some of the most skewed in the country.

And California isn’t alone. After the 2010 census, Maryland Democrats redrew their maps so aggressively that even the Washington Post described it as “genius gerrymandering.” The result: a 7–1 Democrat-controlled delegation. Illinois is another disturbing example. After the 2020 census the state’s governor JB Pritzker (D) redrew the maps and even though they lost a seat to do population decline, the end result was a 14-3 Democrat led delegation. New York has done this as well, with 43% of the state voting Republican – but only SEVEN (27%) of their 26 seats going to Republican congressman.

Against that backdrop, Texas’s proposal looks less like “rigging” and more like leveling the playing field.

The new map would have significant political consequences. It would consolidate Democratic voters in places like District 9, held by Trump impeachment supporter Rep. Al Green (D), reducing their influence in surrounding districts. Green would keep his seat, but other Democrats—including Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Vincent Gonzalez (TX-34), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Greg Casar (TX-35), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37)—would face far tougher re-election battles, with some districts virtually unwinnable for Democrats.

Gunther Eagleman, a conservative commentator, called the changes a “massive blow to Texas Democrats.”

 

Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called a 30-day special legislative session to finalize the map before the August 19 deadline. President Trump has reportedly been instrumental in pushing Republicans to pursue these changes, framing them as essential to securing a fairer electoral map.

Democrats may not like it, but they perfected this game long ago. Republicans are simply playing by the same rules—and this time, they might win.

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