https://www.newsweek.com/texas-republicans-now-at-risk-of-losing-seats-in-midterms-not-gaining-them-11085694Texas Republicans could now lose seats in the November 2026 midterms, not gain them.
Because of a ruling on redistricting in the state, the party is unlikely to pick up new seats from redrawn electoral maps.
Meanwhile, according to unrelated analysis by political scientist Larry Sabato, the party may find it more difficult to keep hold of two seats it won in the November 2024 election as they are shifting toward the Democratic Party.
Newsweek reached out to the Texas Republican Party to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
Why It Matters
There has been a national redistricting fight in which Republicans and Democrats alike have attempted to draw new state maps to impact the results of future votes.
Redistricting could have a major impact on upcoming elections, including the November 2026 midterms, which will affect the balance of power in Congress and, in turn, Trump's ability to carry out his agenda. Republicans have a narrow majority of 219 to 214 in the House of Representatives, so if they lose a handful of seats it could have a huge impact on the last two years of Trump's term.
On Tuesday, federal judges ruled that Texas cannot use a new Republican-drawn congressional map, ruling that there was "substantial evidence" showing "that Texas racially gerrymandered." The map was expected to deliver five additional seats to the GOP.
