A veteran Texas Democratic congressman said Thursday he’ll dodge a reelection bid if the state’s new partisan congressional map is enacted.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) says he will only run for reelection if the new Republican-drawn map is voted down. If not, he’ll pave the way for Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) to win the Democratic primary in the new district.
Texas Republicans are on the precipice of final approval of the map, which is expected to add five Republican seats, as the Texas Senate is set to deliberate on it.
“If this racially gerrymandered Trump map is rejected, as it should be, I will continue seeking reelection in Congressional District 37 to represent my neighbors in the only town I have ever called home,” Doggett said in a statement. “If the courts give Trump a victory in his scheme to maintain control of a compliant House, I will not seek reelection in the reconfigured CD37.”
He also noted that his district, if redrawn, would become 51%-49% Trump and 52%-48% for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). The 78-year-old Doggett has been a member of the House since 1995, representing the 10th, 25th, 35th, and 37th congressional districts.
“I had hoped that my commitment to reelection under any circumstances would encourage Congressman Casar to not surrender his winnable district to Trump. While his apparent decision is most unfortunate, I prefer to devote the coming months to fighting Trump tyranny and serving Austin rather than waging a struggle with fellow Democrats. I wish Congressman Casar the best,” Doggett added.
Casar praised Doggett for the announcement, making a future primary easier for him. “Lloyd Doggett is an Austin institution. I’ve learned so much from him. I’m grateful to him. The fight for democracy continues,” he said in a post on X.
The new map would’ve likely drawn Doggett into a primary fight with Casar. With his possible retirement from the House, Doggett will still serve until January 2027.
NEWSOM SIGNS REDISTRICTING BILLS, TAKES FIGHT OVER CONGRESSIONAL MAP TO VOTERS
In response to the Texas Republican redistricting effort, California Democrats pushed their own map-redrawing plans forward. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) declared a special election for this November, aiming for a new map to help Democrats pick up five more seats in the House.
“We’re responding to what occurred in Texas,” Newsom said. “We’re neutralizing what occurred, and we’re giving the American people a fair chance because when all things are equal, we’re all playing by the same rules.”