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John,
One reason we focus on state legislatures is because states control redistricting—one of the most powerful tools in politics. Drawing electoral maps decides who has a voice, who holds power, and whether voters get to choose their leaders; or the other way around. But now, Republicans in Texas are trying to change the rules before the 2030 census to give themselves five new seats in Congress. Over the weekend, Republican state legislators tried to push through a new congressional map that adds five more GOP-leaning districts. It’s a map that Donald Trump has openly supported in advance of the 2026 midterms.
To stop it, Texas Democrats—including Sister District alumna Ann Johnson—have taken a bold step: they have left the state to block a quorum and delay the vote.
In response, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has ordered officials to track them down, arrest them, and bring them back by force. He is also threatening to remove them from office.
And this fight isn’t just in Texas. The GOP has made it clear that they intend to use this strategy in every state they can. |
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Source: The Associated Press |
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Republicans have understood the power of state legislatures for decades, using strategies like REDMAP to gain control of state legislatures with the explicit goal of gerrymandering state and congressional lines in their favor. This power grab in Texas proves they’re unabashedly preparing to rig maps in state after state ahead of the 2026 midterms and 2030 redistricting cycle.
The struggle in Texas is a preview of the high-stakes redistricting battles to come, John. What we do right now will shape the future of our democracy, and we can't wait for the next redistricting cycle to act. Thank you for standing with us.
In solidarity,
Sister District |
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Paid for by Sister District Project. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. Donations to Sister District Project, a 527 organization, are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. |
