A US district court, in a setback for President Donald Trump, struck down a congressional map on Tuesday redrawn by Republicans in Texas that was intended to give the party five more likely seats in the House of Representatives.
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The court ruled that the new map, which weakened five Democratic districts, could not be used in the 2026 midterm elections, where Republicans are seeking to safeguard their slim majority in the House.
Democrats are eyeing a big win that would allow them to challenge the Republican president for the rest of his term.
The court said the redrawn map, which was challenged by black and Hispanic voters, amounted to illegal racial gerrymandering.
In a split 2-1 decision, the court ordered Republican-ruled Texas to use a 2021 map for next year’s congressional midterm vote.
The decision, which Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he would appeal to the conservative-majority Supreme Court, is the latest development in a congressional redistricting battle between Republicans and Democrats playing out nationwide.