Texas House Committee debates congressional redistricting bill targeting five seats

AUSTIN (KXAN)-- The Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting heard testimony Friday on a proposed map that would redraw 37 of the state's 38 congressional districts, with changes primarily focused on five districts drawn for partisan Republican advantage.

State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, presented House Bill 4 during the hearing. The proposal comes during a special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott following a July letter from the U.S Department of Justice alleging racial gerrymandering in four congressional districts.

Hunter acknowledged the map was drawn using "political performance" as a criteria, citing U.S. Supreme Court precedent allowing partisan considerations in redistricting.

"These districts were drawn primarily using political performance," Hunter said. "That criteria from the US Supreme Court."

The proposed changes target Districts 9, 28, 32, 34 and 35, creating what Hunter described as Republican-leaning seats while establishing new majority-minority districts. Under the plan, four of the five redrawn districts would have Hispanic citizen voting-age population majorities.

"Each of these newly drawn districts now trend Republican in political performance," Hunter said. "Doesn't guarantee electoral success. Does not guarantee -- that's up to the candidates."

Changes to minority representation

The proposal would create two majority Black citizen voting-age population districts for the first time. District 18 in Houston would increase from 38.8% to 50.8% Black citizen voting-age population, while District 30 would rise from 46% to 50.2%

Hispanic representation would also increase under the plan. The proposal includes eight Hispanic citizen voting-age majority districts compared to seven under current maps, and 10 Hispanic voting-age population majority districts compared to nine currently.

Hunter said the changes reflect updated legal precedent from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in August 2024 that coalition districts combining different minority groups are no longer required under the Voting Rights Act.

Partisan Advantage Acknowledged

Hunter and State Rep. David Spiller, R - Jacksboro, openly discussed the partisan intent behind the redistricting effort. Spiller noted that Texas currently holds a 65% Republican advantage in its congressional delegation despite being 58% Republican statewide, compared to larger advantages in Democratic-controlled states.

"There is nothing wrong with doing it," Hunter said regarding partisan redistricting. "I'm telling you that we have five new districts, and these five new districts are based on political performance."

The proposed changes would affect major metropolitan areas including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

State Rep. Christian Manuel, D-Port Arthur, questioned whether the changes represented "political retaliation" against Black congressional members who have opposed the current administration.

"Is this political retribution against congressional members, particularly those who have been outspoken and who, whether it's intentional or not, happen to be Black African American?" Manuel asked.

Hunter responded: "The answer I can only speak for Todd Hunter, is no."

DOJ Involvement

The redistricting effort stems from a July 7 letter from the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division alleging racial gerrymandering in current congressional maps.

Hunter said he was not guided by the DOJ letter in drawing the new map.

"The Department of Justice, letter is a letter," Hunter said. "That's not guiding me. I'm presenting a plan."

The committee limited public testimony registration to 11 a.m., later extending it to 11:15 a.m. after members noted traffic delays and Wi-Fi connectivity issues affecting potential witnesses.

Committee Chair Cody Vasut, R - Angleton, said the members would take action on the proposed map Friday. If they do not, they would take action on Saturday. Vasut said he expects the proposed map will be discussed on the House floor as early as Tuesday next week.