The fight over Republicans’ push to redraw the Texas congressional map has widened into a national political war, with red and blue states moving to counteract each other and ambitious politicians around the country vowing aggressive partisan combat.
From California to New York, Democrats are pushing to redraw their state’s maps to add more blue seats if Texas Republicans carve out five more red ones, as they are trying to do this month. Republicans from Missouri to Ohio have expressed interest in changing their U.S. House district lines to benefit the GOP, and Vice President JD Vance is headed Thursday to Indiana, another state that could boost his party.
Midterm candidates and potential 2028 presidential contenders are playing to their base and raising their profile while jumping into the fray. And President Donald Trump is weighing in, declaring this week that Republicans are “entitled” to redraw the maps in Texas.
Officials in both parties are embracing raw partisan tactics, with Democrats repeatedly promising to “fight fire with fire” despite some past opposition to gerrymandering. Some Democrats see an especially pivotal moment for their leaders, who have struggled this year to convince the frustrated rank-and-file that they are pushing back hard enough against Trump.