Update News: Letter For Llody Doggett

July 17, 2025

Ms. Siyourae M. Stallings

voices, fear of accountability, fear of losing -- that is what drives a desperate Trump to demand whatever it takes to cling to power.  A number of constituents have just written me about Texas redistricting; some even asking me to vote against the redistricting plan. Of course, the redistricting vote will occur in the Texas Capitol, not in Washington.  And this is one of several matters upon which action will occur as the Special Session, called by Governor Abbott, gets underway this coming Monday.  Yet this latest extreme gerrymandering plan certainly does originate in Washington. Trump has made the extraordinary demand that Texas provide him five more Republican Congressmembers, even though Republicans already dominate 25 of our state’s 38 districts.

Straight from the White House, a new crooked congressional map could be imposed on Texas by Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick and their willing GOP state legislators without regard to communities of interest or the interest of each citizen in securing representatives, who are accessible and accountable. Trump has targeted minority opportunity districts in Houston and Dallas, actually claiming that the current maps designed by Republicans in 2021 constitute a racial gerrymander, discriminating against white people.  The Trump map will target racial minority communities to prevent them from choosing a member of their choice.  Republicans are trying to pick their constituents instead of letting many people of color pick their own representatives.  This is not about the threat to any individual member of Congress, it is about the threat to our democracy, as I discussed on KEYE and CNN .

And this scheme is just one more big step in Trump’s attempt to manipulate the next election in order to avoid accountability by maintaining his continued control of a subservient Republican House.  On CNN , I also discussed the White House’s push to gather data on voters and “inspect” voting equipment.  As reported on the front page of the Washington Post . Trump’s Department of Justice has taken the unusual step of asking nine states for copies of their voter roles. These are coordinated efforts to interfere with free and fair elections next year.

Since I have no vote on this state action, you would have to contact your State Representative and Senator to let each know your views on this power grab. The Texas House and Senate are empowered to determine whether they conduct public hearings where citizens are allowed to testify against efforts to carve up communities.

By targeting minorities, the fix is in on Texas’s congressional elections. This is just the latest attempt to take “the People” out of “We the People.” The new crooked Republican map will exhibit the same traits that govern the Trump administration -- racism, arrogance, and creeping autocracy.  It won’t end with Texas.  The Republicans will be using the same game plan elsewhere, likely including Florida and other Republican-controlled states. 

This racially-motivated re-redistricting power grab is the latest attempt to rewrite the rules to ensure there are no rules, no limits, no guardrails on Trump’s edicts. Despite the painful loss from the drowning of so many children and families in one the largest natural disasters in Texas history, Republicans are making this power grab their priority.

As I have noted, there is no superhero to save the day.  We must all don a cape.  If you so choose, this latest GOP scheme is an opportunity to ensure your voice is heard. This is not about what is best for any Member of Congress, but about the future of American democracy. Without that engagement, we cannot restore the checks and balances our democracy demands at this very challenging time.  Let me hear from you. 

Sincerely,

Lloyd Doggett

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