Dear john,
Donald Trump instructed Texas Republicans to engage in a power grab by re-drawing congressional districts in our state.
Now that they’ve published the heavily-gerrymandered map, I’ve heard from a lot of you over the last 48 hours so let’s break down these questions.
“Why is Trump doing this?”
Midterm elections happen next year, and he’s worried that Republicans who voted to gut your healthcare to pay for tax breaks for millionaires with his “big, beautiful bill” will lose their races. So he wants to rig the next election via redistricting.
“How does the proposal affect El Paso?”
The map strips major parts of El Paso County, all of Fort Bliss, our airport, and the new VA Health Care Center (that I was able to secure $700 million in funding for) from our boundary and gives it to a Republican 500+ miles away.
“Okay but why does that matter?”
Representation matters. If your new Congressman doesn’t care much about El Paso, he won’t work to bring resources back to the community or work to help you.
It’s easier for him to vote against our interests because he’s not around very much.
Has he ever even held a town hall in east El Paso to hear from constituents?
“Can’t you still work for the areas in El Paso you won’t represent?”
I will of course try, but each member of Congress has an obligation and a responsibility to focus on the people and assets within their districts.
“I want that Republican representative being my member of congress.”
You can vote for a Republican or a Democrat, but you’re not picking your politician here – quite the opposite. This politician is picking you. And he’ll be hundreds of miles away from you.
“I don’t like that you prefer immigrants over citizens! I’d rather have a Republican represent me.”
I work for El Paso, period. I bring home resources that help veterans, small businesses, local governments and more. I’m proud of my record of delivering for our community.
Check out a sampling of my record 
https://escobar.house.gov/issues/
And feel free to compare that record with the Republican Congressman who lives in San Antonio and already represents part of El Paso.
“I just want to be seen or feel represented.”
We all do, which is why I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter, attend my mobile office hours around the community, or participate in my in-person or virtual town hall meetings.
There’s still time for you to voice your opinion.
The Texas House Committee in charge of redistricting is currently holding a public hearing, and you can still submit testimony online. Learn more here.
