I read in the local newspaper several claims you have made that need clarification. You say, “Here in Texas, we believe in doing things the right way. That means following the law …” adding, “Let’s be clear: this is not about politics, it’s about the law.”
The history is this: Texas’ current congressional district maps were drawn by the Republican-dominated Legislature in 2021 with an eye toward protecting incumbents and ensuring that two new congressional seats Texas gained due to population growth would be held by the GOP. The maps worked as intended, with Republicans winning 25 of 38 congressional seats in 2022 and 2024.
State Sen. Joan Huffman (R), who chaired the 2021 Senate Redistricting Committee, repeatedly testified UNDER OATH that race was not a factor in determining the maps. “I drew the maps blind to race,” Huffman told the court.
Republicans already control 25 of Texas’ 38 national congressional seats – a percentage, 66% — that substantially exceeds that of their overall vote-share in the state (56% in the last national election), a result of this 2021 gerrymandering which is still being litigated. An addition of 5 seats would boost GOP representation to 79%, FAR exceeding overall Republican vote share. But it’s about “the law,” right?
The map was challenged 4 years ago in court alleging that it discriminated against Black and Latino voters. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits election and voting practices that disadvantage minority groups, including drawing boundaries that dilute their ability to elect their preferred candidate by packing them into a single district or dispersing them throughout multiple districts.
The legal case in which Huffman testified is still being considered, yet now Trump’s DOJ is essentially calling Huffman a liar (perjurer, in fact). The DOJ now AGREES with those suing Texas for improper district drawing with a racial goal, but not the entire state. ONLY 4 districts where Democrats won. Those have to be redrawn, says Trump’s DOJ. But, Representative Orr assures us “this is not political.”
I’d ask Rep. Orr: WHAT LAW EXACTLY? And what is your evidence of the law being broken, other than Democrats were voted into office in those districts? If racial considerations are indeed your legal concern, will the entire state be redistricted? And a follow-up question: If you’re serious about DOJ’s claims being valid, when will State Senator Huffman be brought up on perjury charges?
As an added voter comment, at the rate Republican President Donald Trump breaks the law himself, and pardons those who have broken the law, and show lenience to pedophiles, it’s hard to take a Republican’s claim seriously that ‘the law’ is important to them.
Jeff Harrison
Buffalo TX 75831
