Texas asks Supreme Court to overturn redistricting map blocked by Congress

Texas filed an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday after a ruling by a panel of federal judges blocked the state from using its new congressional map, calling it a “racially gerrymandered.”

Shortly after the petition was filed, Justice Samuel Alito issued an administrative stay, temporarily suspending the lower committee’s decision blocking the new Texas maps.

The state asked the high court for an administrative stay of the lower court’s ruling, noting that Texas has “elections already underway,” referring to the congressional primary elections in March.

The Supreme Court recently blocked lower court decisions related to redistricting cases in Louisiana and Alabama.

Texas redrew the congressional map last summer as part of an effort backed by President Donald Trump that could help Republicans pick up five seats in next year’s midterms.

Republicans push back against ‘false accusations of racism’ in fight against blockbuster redistricting

Texas filed an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday after a ruling by a panel of federal judges blocked the state from using its new congressional map, calling it “racial gerrymandering.” (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, a Trump appointee, joined by U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama, an Obama appointee, said in the majority decision: “The public perception in this case is that this is a matter of policy.

“Certainly, politics played a role in crafting the 2025 map,” the judges said. “But it was more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows Texas racially altered the 2025 map.”

Judge Jerry Smith, a Reagan appointee and third on the three-judge panel, dissented without explanation.

The State Capitol in Austin, Texas (AP Photo/Eric Gay, file)

Republicans protest double standard after judges call Texas redistricting plan ‘racially gerrymandered’

This decision constitutes a major blow for the Trump administration. It comes as Trump and his Republican allies have rushed to shore up the party’s razor-thin House majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, including by imploring some states to launch rare redistricting efforts in the middle of the decade.

Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio have also redrawn their congressional maps, and other states like Florida and Kansas are considering similar efforts.

Democratic states are also considering redrawing their maps to thwart Republican efforts.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed Tuesday to appeal to the Supreme Court. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

More importantly, California voters overwhelmingly approved a plan to redistrict the state earlier this month with the goal of erasing the new Texas map.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed Tuesday to appeal to the Supreme Court.

“For years, Democrats have engaged in partisan redistricting designed to eliminate Republican representation,” Paxton said. “But when Republicans respond in kind, Democrats rely on false accusations of racism to secure partisan advantage.”