Redistricting: The maps drawn in 2011 for the Texas state house districts violate the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act, the three-judge panel presiding over the redistricting lawsuits ruled. Intentional vote dilution, racial gerrymandering and violations of the one-person, one-vote rule produced flawed districts in Bell, Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, Harris, Hidalgo, Lampasas, Nueces and Tarrant Cos. Some of these deficiencies were mooted by the adoption of a court-drawn interim map in 2013.
Districts Found to Have Defects
HD31, represented by Rep. Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) – PV
HD32, represented by Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) – VD, PV
HD34, represented by Rep. Abel Herrero (D-Corpus Christi) – VD, PV
HD36, represented by Rep. Sergio Munoz Jr. (D-Edinburg) – PV
HD39, represented by Rep. Mando Martinez (D-Weslaco) – PV
HD40, represented by Rep. Terry Canales (D-Premont) – PV
HD41, represented by Rep. Bobby Guerra (D-Mission) – VD, PV
HD54, represented by Rep. Scott Cosper (R-Killeen) – VD, PV
HD55, represented by Rep. Hugh Shine (R-Temple) – PV
HD78, represented by Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) – VD
HD90, represented by Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. (D-Fort Worth) – VD
HD93, represented by Rep. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) – VD
HD103, represented by Rep. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas) – VD
HD104, represented by Rep. Roberto Alonzo (D-Dallas) – VD
HD105, represented by Rep. Rodney Anderson (R-Grand Prairie) – VD
HD117, represented by Rep. Philip Cortez (D-San Antonoo) – RG
Harris Co. at large – VD
PV = one person, one vote | VD = vote dilution | RG = racial gerrymandering
As with the recent Congressional map ruling, federal District Judges Xavier Rodriguez and Orlando Garcia signed the majority opinion while Judge Jerry Smith dissented. Like the recent Congressional map ruling, no remedy is provided by the three-judge panel, leaving open the question of whether the maps need to be redrawn for the 2018 election.
A status conference on the Congressional case is scheduled for April 27.
Dallas: The Dallas Morning News endorsed incumbent council member Lee Kleinman (D11) and challenger Matt Wood over incumbent Philip Kingston (D14).
Fort Worth: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram endorsed Mayor Betsy Price and incumbent council members Gyna Bivens (D5), Kelly Allen Gray (D8), Jungus Jordan (D6), Cary Moon (D4), Dennis Shingleton (D7) and Ann Zadeh (D9).
