Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett may soon find herself without a district to represent. The first-term Democrat from Dallas is confronting a major challenge after the state’s Republican lawmakers advanced a controversial redistricting plan that could dramatically reshape the political map — and potentially end her congressional career.

A Sweeping Redistricting Plan

The new proposal, unveiled this month by Texas Republicans, redraws the boundaries of several key congressional districts across the state. The plan would eliminate or heavily alter at least five Democratic-held seats in major metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Houston, Austin, and parts of South Texas.

Among the proposed changes, Crockett’s 30th Congressional District — which includes large portions of southern Dallas County — would be significantly reconfigured. Under the new lines, Crockett’s residence would fall outside the district she currently represents, complicating her path to re-election in 2026.

“I currently don’t live in the [newly drawn] District 30,” Crockett told reporters. “That’s not where I live now. They’re supposed to take that into consideration, and these are some of the things the court will look at when determining whether or not there were problems with how these maps were created. It’s really awful.”

The redistricting plan still requires approval from both chambers of the Texas Legislature, but its passage in the Republican-controlled State Senate marks a major step forward.

Accusations of Partisan and Racial Gerrymandering

Crockett and other Democrats have denounced the proposal as a clear attempt to consolidate Republican power in one of the nation’s fastest-growing and most diverse states.

“This plan is a hot mess,” Crockett said in a televised interview. “It targets communities of color and tries to silence the voices of voters who have worked hard to be heard.”

She pointed to the fact that several of the affected districts are represented by Black Democrats, including Rep. Al Green of Houston, who has served in Congress since 2005.

“It is so sad that these people have no integrity and could care less about doing what’s right,” Crockett added. “They want to exhaust us, but we’re not going anywhere. Texas is the state that gave this country Roe v. Wade — it’s time for us to rise again.”

On social media, Crockett accused Republicans of trying to “cheat” their way to maintaining control.

“Republicans in Texas just rolled out their proposed Congressional map that cut 5 Democratic seats out of thin air,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Let’s be clear: these maps are not about representation — they’re a power grab to silence voters and suppress voices. If your big idea is ‘cheat harder,’ maybe it’s time to rethink your politics.”

Republicans Defend the Redistricting Process

Texas Republicans, however, have pushed back against accusations of gerrymandering or racial targeting.

Senate Redistricting Committee Chair Joan Huffman (R-Houston) argued that the maps are based on population data from the 2020 U.S. Census and comply with all legal standards.

“We’ve followed the law and the Constitution at every step,” Huffman said in a statement. “Texas has grown rapidly over the past decade, and these new lines reflect where people actually live today.”

Republican leaders also contend that the plan maintains fair representation and ensures rural and suburban communities — which lean more conservative — are not overshadowed by the state’s urban centers.

“Our goal is simple: to make sure every Texan’s vote counts equally,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate. “Democrats don’t like the outcome because they’re losing influence, but that’s how democracy works when the people of Texas vote Republican.”

Senate Democrats Walk Out in Protest

The Texas Senate voted 19–2 along party lines to approve the new map after a tense session on Tuesday. Moments before the vote, nine of the eleven Senate Democrats walked out in protest, leaving the chamber nearly empty.

Despite the dramatic gesture, the walkout could not stop the Republican majority from advancing the bill.

“This is an affront to democracy,” said State Sen. Royce West (D-Dallas), one of the few Democrats who stayed to speak. “We’re watching the deliberate dismantling of representation for Black and Latino communities in Texas.”

Legal Challenges Expected

Political analysts expect a wave of lawsuits to follow once the new maps are finalized. Civil rights groups, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), have already signaled their intention to challenge the plan in court.

Under the Voting Rights Act, federal courts have repeatedly struck down Texas redistricting maps for violating protections against racial discrimination. Similar legal battles in 2011 and 2013 led to years of litigation and federal oversight.

“Texas has a long history of drawing maps that dilute the voting power of communities of color,” said Nina Perales, vice president of litigation for MALDEF. “We are reviewing this plan closely and will not hesitate to act if it violates federal law.”

Crockett echoed those concerns, saying she’s confident the courts will intervene.

“This isn’t over,” she said. “They can pass whatever maps they want, but they still have to survive legal scrutiny — and history shows they rarely do.”

What It Means for Jasmine Crockett

Losing her district would present a serious political obstacle for Crockett, who first won election in 2022 after serving in the Texas House of Representatives. A prominent member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, she quickly gained national attention for her outspoken exchanges in congressional hearings and her defense of voting rights and reproductive freedoms.

If the new map holds, Crockett could face a difficult choice: move into the new district boundaries to run again, or compete in another nearby district — potentially against another sitting Democrat.

“She’s in a politically vulnerable spot,” said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Rice University. “Redistricting can be brutal, and Crockett doesn’t have the seniority or statewide profile to easily survive if her base is dismantled.”

Broader Implications for Texas Politics

The redistricting proposal could significantly shift Texas’s political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections. With five new Republican-leaning districts, the plan could help the GOP strengthen its control of the state’s 38-member U.S. House delegation, where Republicans currently hold 25 seats.

Democrats fear that the move will make it harder for them to gain ground in a state where demographic changes — particularly among younger, more diverse voters — have gradually eroded Republican dominance in urban centers.

“This isn’t about fair representation; it’s about keeping power,” said State Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin). “Texas is changing, and the people in charge are trying to redraw reality instead of facing it.”

Next Steps

The redistricting plan now heads to the Texas House of Representatives, where Republicans also hold a firm majority. Lawmakers are expected to debate amendments before sending the final version to Governor Greg Abbott, who has expressed support for the effort.

Even if the bill is signed into law, experts predict months — or even years — of legal battles before the maps are implemented.

For Rep. Jasmine Crockett, the fight is both political and personal.

“They can move lines on a map,” she said, “but they can’t move the will of the people. I’m not done fighting — not by a long shot.”