Texas Redistricting Creates Unexpected House Race Contests; Colorado Considers Rules

Republican-led mid-decade redistricting in Texas has reshaped congressional contests, including two South Texas races that now carry unexpected uncertainty. In the newly drawn 35th District, Democrat Johnny Garcia is emphasizing affordability and a moderate law-and-order message against Republican Carlos De La Cruz, in a district Trump would have won by about 10 points. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, whose district was also redrawn, faces a competitive challenge from Democrat Bobby Pulido; despite Trump carrying the district by nearly 18 points, Pulido has raised substantial funds and gained in polls. Texas’s map changes have also fueled a broader partisan redistricting push, prompting Colorado voters to consider Amendment 86, which would set rules for any congressional map redraw between census cycles; the proposal followed an effort to enable mid-decade redistricting that the state Supreme Court struck down.