Texas Republicans have one last hurdle in redistricting war ahead of midterm elections

Republican lawmakers in Texas are nearing the final legislative hurdle they need to clear to complete a partisan gerrymander of the state that could potentially shift next year’s midterm elections in the GOP’s favor, forcing Democrats elsewhere to respond in kind.

The state Senate planned to take up a redistricting bill Aug. 22 that had been approved on a party-line vote by Republicans in the Texas House days earlier. With the GOP in control of both chambers of the state legislature and the governor’s office, the plan, spurred on by President Donald Trump, is on a glide path to approval.

Read more: Trump’s GOP on verge of big Texas win, but battle for power is only starting: 5 takeaways

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Nationwide, the redistricting wars are becoming fiercer, with the Lone Star State leading the way. The fight escalated dramatically after a two-week walkout by Texas Democrats, who fled Austin and Texas in protest of the rare mid-decade attempt to redraw the electoral maps.

The controversy has also become an opportunity for the national Democratic party to demonstrate a more combative style to supporters amid new struggles to engage voters and raise money.

“We are at war,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in early August. “And that’s why the gloves are off. And I say bring it on.”

Read more: Texas Republicans approve Trump-backed congressional map after Dems ended walkout

Longtime Texas congressman won’t seek reelection if courts OK gerrymander

A panel of three federal judges is expected to hold a hearing as soon as September to determine the legality of the new congressional district map approved by the Republican-controlled legislature in Texas.

In a Monday court filing, a coalition of left-leaning voting rights groups said they plan to ask the U.S. District Court in El Paso to block the map from taking effect on the grounds that it is racially discriminatory.

If courts approved the GOP’s redistricting efforts, a leader of Texas’ Democratic congressional delegation said he wouldn’t seek reelection, since the vote would gerrymander the area he’s represented for decades on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s district is mostly made up of his hometown of Austin, a liberal stronghold that Republicans plan to re-carve into a redder version of itself. By bowing down, Doggett, 78, is avoiding a potentially bitter primary confrontation with 36-year-old Rep. Greg Casar, another Texas Democrat representing parts of Austin.

“I prefer to devote the coming months to fighting Trump tyranny and serving Austin rather than waging a struggle with fellow Democrats,” Doggett said in a statement.

California Democrats pass redistricting bills of their own

While the GOP aims to pick up roughly half a dozen House seats in Texas, Democrats are hoping to do the same in California.

On Aug. 21, the state’s legislature approved a measure to put a proposal on the November ballot that would suspend current redistricting rules. If voters sign off, California Democrats will be able to redraw the maps in their favor.

Former President Barack Obama recently endorsed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s approach to redistricting in California, calling it a “responsible” strategy.

Read more: Obama weighs in on Newsom’s California redistricting strategy amid Texas debate

Ohio scheduled to redistrict

Many states are rushing to draw up new electoral maps due to growing national pressure. Ohio is another story. The Buckeye State is formally required to redistrict this year. Its current maps are set to sunset in 2026.

Ohio lawmakers will return to Columbus after Labor Day. Republicans in the legislature are eyeing two to three districts they think they can turn red.

Reuters contributed.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas lawmakers near final redistricting vote