Dallas congressional district shifts toward East Texas
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A Dallas congressional district would become one of the most solidly GOP districts among five expected to flip from Democratic to Republican if Texas' new map goes into effect.
Why it matters: The map — which is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott's signature — is already being challenged in court, with one lawsuit claiming the redrawn districts violate voting rights protections and discriminate against Black and Latino voters.
- Texas Republicans argue the new map is about increasing political power, not racial discrimination.
Zoom in: The 32nd Congressional District is currently geographically compact, covering about two-thirds of Dallas and stretching into the northern suburbs.
- Under the new map, the district would include a small part of the city and stretch through Rockwall County into predominantly white, rural East Texas counties more than 100 miles from Dallas.
- Rep. Julie Johnson, a Democrat currently representing the district, would be drawn out of it.
State of play: The rare mid-decade map aims to boost GOP chances of keeping control of the U.S. House for the second half of President Trump's term.
- The map cleared the Texas Senate over the weekend after winning House approval once Democrats returned from their walkout.
- Under the new map, Texas would likely send 30 Republicans, up from 25, and eight Democrats to Washington.
Driving the news: There is already speculation about who would run for the updated North Texas district.
- Ryan Binkley, a Richardson resident, announced this month that he plans to run for the seat. He ran a long-shot campaign for president last year before throwing his support behind Trump.
Flashback: The 32nd District was a Republican stronghold until former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred won 52% of the vote in 2018 over the incumbent, Republican Pete Sessions.
- The district was redrawn in 2021, making it more Democratic.
By the numbers: Johnson won 60.5% of the vote in 2024 and her Republican opponent won 37%.
- In the redrawn district, the results could be reversed.
What they're saying: "When lawmakers manipulate district lines to choose their voters, instead of voters choosing their leaders, our democracy comes under direct attack," Johnson said earlier this month.