Texas’ new redistricting law affected the outcome of several key congressional races

Several key congressional races have been impacted by Texas’ new redistricting law.

Last year, the Texas legislature passed a redistricting bill that has since gone into effect that could net five additional Republican seats in November. In some districts, incumbent Democratic members of Congress chose to either resign or run in newly redrawn districts against other Democratic incumbents, with the inevitability of one being knocked out.

Multiple efforts were made to stop the law from going into effect, including several dozen Texas House Democrats absconding for more than two weeks to halt legislative business last summer. After they returned, the bill passed and Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law. Multiple groups sued and lost, and the law went into effect, The Center Square reported.

On Tuesday, voters cast ballots in newly redrawn districts statewide. The majority of incumbents were reelected, including in new districts. Seventeen incumbent Republicans and seven incumbent Democrats won, with the remainder heading to runoff elections, The Center Square reported.

CD 9 and CD 18, Houston area

Newly redrawn CD 9, currently represented by Democrat U.S. Al Green, is expected to flip Republican in November. On Tuesday, no Republican won 50% of the vote and two are heading to a runoff, Alex Mealer and Brisco Cain, The Center Square reported.

Green, first elected in 2004, ran for reelection in newly redistricted CD 18. The old and new CD 18 in Houston remains a Democratic stronghold. Former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee won the special election last month for the seat. On Tuesday, he ran for reelection, receiving 46% of the vote. Green won 44%. Whoever wins is favored to win in November over Republican Ronald Whitfield, who won his primary race.

CD 29, Houston area

In CD 29, incumbent Democrat Sylvia Garcia won her primary race in a newly redrawn district in northwest Houston. The district includes a higher share of Black voters and a lower share of Hispanic voters. Garcia is the first congresswoman to represent her district. She survived a multi-candidate primary race on Tuesday and is favored over her Republican challenger, Martha Fierro, in November.

CD 32, Dallas area

The old CD 32 had been a Democratic stronghold, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson. After redistricting, she ran for reelection in newly redistricted CD 33 and heads to a runoff election in May.

On Tuesday, Democrat Dan Barrios won his primary but faces an uphill battle in November to whomever wins a likely Republican runoff election: Republicans Jace Yarbrough or Ryan Binkley. Yarbrough received 49% of the vote with not all votes counted as of Wednesday morning. Republicans are hoping to flip the new CD 32.

CD 33, Dallas area

Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, who ran against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024 and lost, ran again in the new CD 33. He won 45.5% of the vote on Tuesday and heads to a runoff against Johnson. Republicans Patrick Gillespie and John Sims are also heading to a runoff. Democrats are favored to win the seat in November.

CD 34, the Rio Grande Valley

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez has so far survived multiple Republican challengers in the last several elections, including in previously redrawn districts. He won his primary election on Tuesday and faces Republican Eric Flores in November.

Flores won an eight-candidate race, defeating former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, who previously won a special election but lost to Gonzalez in November 2024 when she ran for reelection in a newly drawn district. Eric Flores, an Army veteran and former U.S. attorney, has been endorsed by multiple Republicans including President Donald Trump. He has the potential to unseat Gonzalez after years of other failed attempts by Republicans.

CD 35 and CD 37, San Antonio/Austin area

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Greg Casar currently represents CD 35 but ran for reelection in CD 37.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who currently represents CD 37, was a vocal opponent of the redistricting process, arguing it was illegal and would knock him out of office. It effectively did as he chose not to run for reelection. Republicans Ge’Nell Gary and Laren Pena are heading to a runoff election, both securing 35% of the vote. Casar, who won his primary race, is expected to defeat his Republican challenger in November.

In the new CD 35, which now leans Republican, two Republicans and two Democrats are heading to runoff elections in May, The Center Square reported. The seat is expected to flip Republican.

In newly redrawn CD 7, CD 20 and CD 30 in the Houston, Austin and Dallas areas, respectively, Democrats argued redistricting would hurt their chances. Incumbent Democrats Lizzie Fletcher (CD 7) and Joaquin Castro (CD 30) won their primary races and are expected to win in November. In CD 30, Republicans Sholdon Daniels and Everett Jackson head to a runoff. Democrat Frederick Haynes won his primary race. The district is considered “safe Democrat.”