US midterms present a test for Republican redistricting in Texas and beyond

A Houston district reshaped

Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church has long been in Houston’s ninth congressional district. Its politically active Black voters helped elect Democrat Al Green for two decades. Redistricting moved Green into a primary contest with Christian Menefee, the Black Democrat representing the 18th district. Green lost, leaving Houston with one fewer Black member of Congress, while the new ninth district was drawn to favour Republicans.

Critics describe the practice as “cracking and packing,” which they say reduces minority representation by concentrating Black voters in fewer districts. Miller said lawmakers were seeking to manipulate and monopolise votes, adding that the changes felt like a return to the past.

Residents voice concern

Alice Jefferson, 97, said she opposed the map because Green had been moved out of the district. She said he had always offered good advice to people. Janice Ray, a 61-year-old home health aide and entrepreneur, said lawmakers were moving people away from a district they knew. She said residents would stand firm and that the map could be changed back.

Redistricting spreads nationwide

Republican and Democratic state legislatures redrew districts in several states this election season. Republicans did so in Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Ohio; Democrats redrew California’s map, while a court-ordered map in Utah gave Democrats a favourable seat. A Democratic effort in Virginia was later invalidated.

In April, the conservative-dominated US Supreme Court ruled that challengers must prove “racist intent” to contest a map. Critics argued that the standard makes such cases difficult and could permit racial gerrymandering. Texas defenders said their map reflected the state’s changing political makeup, not racial considerations.

The article reports that about 35 million voters will cast ballots in newly redrawn seats. It also says Republicans hope to gain at least five congressional seats, including the ninth district and four others, most in South Texas, as they seek to benefit from shifting Latino sentiment.

A competitive Texas contest

The ninth district is considered favourable to Republicans, but its large number of Latino residents who vote less often could give Democrats an opening, said Dayana Iza, Texas state director of Mi Familia Vota. The organisation has directed resources to the congressional race.

On the Saturday before the November 3 vote, Democratic candidate Leticia Gutierrez and State Senator Molly Cook campaigned in eastern Houston. Texas voters were also set to choose a senator, governor, members of Congress, and state and local officials.