Texas asks Supreme Court to overturn blocked congressional redistricting map
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Texas filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday following a panel of federal judges’ decision to block the state from using its redrawn congressional map, calling it “racially rhinoized.”
Shortly after filing the petition, Justice Samuel Alito issued an administrative stay, temporarily suspending the subpanel’s decision blocking the new maps of Texas.
The state asked the high court to put an administrative stay on the lower court decision, noting that there was “already an election ongoing” in Texas, referring to congressional primaries in March.
The Supreme Court most recently blocked lower court decisions in redistricting cases in Louisiana and Alabama.
Texas redrew its congressional map last summer in an effort backed by President Donald Trump that could help Republicans pick up five seats in next year’s midterm elections.
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Texas filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court after a panel of federal judges ruled Friday that blocked the state from using its redrawn congressional map, calling it “racially tense.” (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, a Trump appointee, and U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama, an Obama appointee, said in the majority decision: “The public perception of this case is that it is about politics.
“Of course, politics played a role in drawing the 2025 map,” said the jury. “But this was about much more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows Texas is racially shifting its 2025 map.”
Judge Jerry Smith, the Reagan-appointed third member of the three-judge panel, dissented without explanation.
State Capitol in Austin, Texas (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
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The decision was a serious blow to the Trump administration. This comes as Trump and his Republican allies race to shore up the party’s razor-thin majority in the House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections; This includes imploring some states to launch rare redistricting efforts by mid-decade.
Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio have also redrawn their congressional maps, and other states such as Florida and Kansas are considering similar efforts.
Democratic states are also considering redrawing their maps to counter Republican efforts.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court on Tuesday. (Jahi Chikwendiu/Washington Post via Getty Images)
Most notably, California voters earlier this month approved a plan to redistrict the state by a wide margin in an effort that could eliminate Texas’ new map.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
“For years, Democrats have engaged in partisan redistricting politics aimed at eliminating Republican representation,” Paxton said. “But when Republicans respond in kind, Democrats rely on unfounded accusations of racism to gain partisan advantage.”
