New Texas Map Wins GOP Support

Politico reports

Texas Republican legislative leaders have coalesced behind a new redistricting map that seeks to squeeze out one more seat for the party than in the versions prepared by the Republican congressional delegation. And the proposal appears to land a direct hit on Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), a long-time Republican nemesis.

The chairmen of the House and Senate Redistricting Committees in the heavily Republican legislature filed the new proposal, and said that they were “ready to go” when Perry is prepared to move on the map. The governor, who sets the agenda for the special session, issued a formal proclamation late Tuesday adding redistricting for the Legislature’s consideration.

The new proposal would create two new Hispanic-majority districts in south Texas. One would be based in San Antonio and would include heavily Hispanic parts of Doggett’s Austin-based district, while shifting the veteran Democrat to a largely Republican district that stretches from Austin into the Hill Country.