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It is time for actual facts on the Texas Mid-Decade Congressional Reapportionment. The claim that this is not done in other states is simply false. Also, the minority party will always claim gerrymandering.
There were essentially five Mid-Decade reapportionments in just the last 15 years: North Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Four were originated by Democrats. All four clearly helped Democrats. All of those were forced by activist judges. The one Republican originated was the North Carolina Legislature responding to the activist Judge and helped Republicans. The Constitution and most recent SCOTUS decision are very clear, reapportionment is a State Legislative function.
The nation’s 2 most gerrymandered States are Democrat strongholds, California and Illinois. In both states Republicans usually receive 40+% of the statewide vote. Yet Republicans have 15% to 18% of the Congressional seats. In Maryland, Republicans receive 35% of the vote but only 12% of the Seats. Massachusetts? 35% vs. zero seats. Connecticut? 40+% vs. zero seats. Washington? Over 40% vs. 20% of seats. New Jersey? Well over 40% and 25% of the seats. New Hampshire? Almost 50/50 and zero seats. Is there some Republican gerrymandering also? Of course. Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana are examples. Sadly, this is normal behavior, by the majority party in most states.
Texas and Florida are massively outgrowing the other states. It has caused the Republican vote to be diluted. 9 of the 10 states facing the most out migration are Democrat. This causes the Democrat vote to carry more weight. If you have followed the media reports, you know the 2020 census was not up to standard. Then in 2021, the Biden Administration chose to alter the census numbers and all but one of the states that benefited were solidly Democrat with out migration issues. Experts argue the exact numbers, but it appears the alterations cost growing Republican States from 5 to 8 seats. That has a huge effect on the balance of power in Congress. The Republicans are still very upset about losing those seats. Texas and Florida were the biggest losers from the alterations.
As Texas’ Representative Wesley Hunt, a Conservative, Black, West Point grad said, the Democrats have been gerrymandering for decades. The Republicans are just starting to catch up. A bit of an exaggeration, but his point is well taken.
Sincerely, Roger A Keats Keats lived in Illinois for 60 years and served as a Republican State Senator for 16 years. He moved to Texas after he retired in 2010, and he was the Commander of the Dripping Springs American Legion Post.
