Democrats Rally Behind Texas Colleagues in Redistricting Showdown

Party leaders say the Texas map could set a national precedent as part of a broader GOP strategy ahead of 2026.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a press conference with Texas Democrats at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades union hall in Aurora, Ill., on Aug. 5, 2025. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Democratic officials rallied in Chicago on Tuesday behind more than 50 Texas House Democrats who left their state last week to block a GOP-led redistricting plan they say could help Republicans flip up to five congressional seats.

Speaking at a press conference on Aug. 5 alongside the Texas delegation, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, and others described the Texas map as a test case for future redistricting efforts in other Republican-led states.