NY Times: “First came the Republican gerrymander in Texas. Now comes the Democratic chaos in Houston.
When Republican lawmakers, at the behest of President Trump, successfully redrew the congressional map of Texas this summer, the explicit aim was to grab as many as five U.S. House seats from the Democrats to try to preserve the Republican majority in the 2026 midterm elections.
But well before then, the repercussions are being felt in a newly drawn district in Houston, even though it will almost certainly stay Democratic…
But Texas’ 18th House district is feeling it right now, thanks to the unexpected death of its Democratic congressman, Sylvester Turner, just weeks into this session of Congress; a special election that was delayed by the Republican governor to help Republican leaders in Washington navigate their narrow House majority; and new district lines that will take effect soon after the special election.
…The bang-your-head-against-the-wall part for voters, candidates and election officials is that Mr. Turner’s replacement will serve the constituents of the old 18th district. Right after voters select that representative, they will have to return to the polls in March for the 2026 midterm election primary — using the completely redrawn congressional map.”