AUSTIN, Tx., November 20, 2025: On August 3, several Texas House Democrats, including Vince Perez, left Texas to stop the Republicans from redistricting to give themselves five additional seats in Congress. It was hoped that by breaking quorum, the Democrats would stop the GOP’s redistricting efforts during the governor’s first special session. Perez was fined $10,000 for helping to break quorum.
Ultimately the Democrats, including Perez, returned to Texas where the state legislature adopted new congressional district maps during the second special session called by the governor.
Earlier this month, ten days of hearing were held in El Paso before three judges: Jeffrey Brown, David Guaderrama and Jerry Smith. They heard testimony on whether the court should block the new GOP maps.
On Tuesday the court ruled that Texas cannot use the 2025 maps and must, instead, use the 2021 maps.
In the League of United Latin American Citizens et al v. Greg Abbott, the court said in its 160-page ruling, that “politics played a role in drawing the 2025 Map.” The Court added that “substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map.”
Court rulings on election matters can only be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement stating that the court’s ruling “is clearly erroneous and undermines the authority” of the Texas legislature. Abbott said that Texas will appeal the ruling.
Attorney General Ken Paxton also issued a statement on Tuesday saying that he will file an appeal with the Supreme Court. Paxton stated that “the radical left is once again trying to undermine the will of the people,” adding, “the Big Beautiful Map was entirely legal and passed for partisan purposes to better represent the political affiliations of Texas.”
Although Texas officials are seeking to overturn the El Paso ruling, it is unclear if the Supreme Court will issue a decision in time for next year’s elections. Candidates seeking a congressional seat have until December 8 to file. Candidates running for Texas congressional seats must currently use the 2021 map the court ordered. Only the Supreme Court can order the use of the 2025 map, but it must do so before December 8, to avoid having candidates running in the wrong precincts.
Like Us and Follow Us On Our Social Media!
Visited 11 times, 11 visit(s) today