On Redistricting, GOP and Texas AG Are in Sync
The state’s Republican attorney general, an ambitious fellow who hopes to be governor someday, is in the happy position of defending redistricting maps that benefit his allies and punish his foes, all in the name of official state business.
Greg Abbott’s job doesn’t put him at odds with his politics. Just the opposite: he’s defending legislative actions — maps institutionalizing Republican majorities — that line up perfectly with what Texas Republicans want.
Nobody asks the attorney general whether he agrees or disagrees with his clients in all cases. If a state agency does something remarkably stupid and ends ...
Comments (8)
jimrtex
75% of all Texas growth occurred in areas represented by Texas House Republicans. If they had their population-based share of representation there would 104.3 representatives. 66% of Hispanic growth, 88% of Black growth and 87% of Asian growth occurred in Republican districts.
The least populated district is HD-103 in Dallas, represented by Rafael Anchia. It has only 70% of the target population. It lost 15,000 persons, including Hispanics, Anglos, Blacks, and Asians. And remember that a district needed to add 28,000 persons just to tread water. To catch up, HD--103 needs to add 50,000 persons, a 42% increase in its population.
The most populous district is HD-70 in neighboring Collin County, represented by Ken Paxton It has added 168,000 persons, enough to create another House district. That district would likely elect a Republican. The growth included 28,000 Hispanics, 20,000 Blacks, and 20,000 Asians. If they are citizens and over 18, they can vote. The notion that they are denied the right to vote because they can't vote for someone in another county is ludicrous.
Dale Curry
But the political smell is hard to ignore. You think? This AG has repeatedly abused his office for the benefit of the GOP. He has consistently attacked and lied about health care reform. He has gutted the consumer protections afforded citizens of Texas through his Consumer Affairs Division of his office. His representation of Texans is limited to large financial interests, the GOP, and Tparty.
jimrtex
The concept of a "split primary" is bogus. There are 10 statewide races, and numerous county and judicial races. In 2010, I could vote for over 80 offices, only 3 were for legislature or congress. In 2002, the last election following redistricting, only about 21% of legislative and congressional nominations were contested. There were more races with zero candidates. The average voter had less than one contested nomination for these 3 offices on their ballot.
Voters in March will be voting for president and perhaps for senator. Hardly anyone will notice whether Rep. Billy Joe Bugtussle is on the ballot. There is no cost (nor savings) having 3 fewer races on the ballot.
In May, it is quite likely there will be a Republican senatorial runoff. If the districts are determined by then, they can be added to the ballot. If only one person files, leave it off the ballot. So there is no little additional cost.
Early voting is conducted by the counties. So if a Democrat wanders in, if there are any legislative or congressional races, he can be handed a ballot. If not he can go home. On election day, it is likely that most areas won't have contested races, so there will be no polling places needed.
Even if the Supreme Court were to rule on January 9 (unlikely) and that filing could begin immediately (even more unlikely) the earliest election possible is April 17, and would require early voting on Easter (April 8).
But the Supreme Court might just decided to wait for the preclearance trial to finish. If the districts are precleared, they can be used. If they aren't in certain areas, they can be adjusted in a remedial phase. But then the districts might only be ready for a June primary and August runoff. If need be, the primaries can be skipped, and the legislative and congressional races can be conducted as special elections in November.
There is simply too much uncertainty about when the districts will be determined and what they will be to delay the other primaries.
jpt51
Greg Abbott is ...defending legislative actions — maps institutionalizing Republican majorities....
In other words, Greg Abbott is a political hack instead of the state's top lawyer defending the rights of ALL Texans.
By the end of this decade Republicans will be a minority party. They will only have themselves to blame for representing narrow-minded crony positions that favor the 1% of us. California and Colorado were canaries in the coal mine but Texas Republicans chose to ignore the trend, to their own peril. When wil they ever learn....
namoyer
Abbott is a real tool. Wasting TX tax $$$, and foolish. Say NO to his rancid politics.
Ross Smith via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Abbott was by far the most ideologically driven Attorney General I worked for.
John Cobarruvias via Texas Tribune on Facebook
For once that jerk stands up, but it is for his party and not for his people. Jackass.
Scott Chase via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He showed his true, hypocritical self by supporting tort (De)form.