Democratic states are facing criticism for their congressional representation gaps, particularly in areas where Republican candidates received significant vote shares in the 2024 presidential election. This issue is prominently highlighted by the Texas redistricting debate, where critics accuse Democratic lawmakers of gerrymandering to restrict Republican influence in Congress. Several blue states, including New Mexico, Connecticut, Illinois, California, New York, Oregon, and New Jersey, exhibit similar patterns, where Trump’s 2024 vote shares did not result in proportionate Republican congressional representation.
For instance, in New Mexico, Trump received nearly 46% of the vote, yet none of the state’s three congressional seats are held by Republicans. The current maps were upheld by the New Mexico Supreme Court despite concerns about gerrymandering, with the second congressional district noted as highly competitive. Similarly, Connecticut saw a 42% vote share for Trump, but no Republican representation in Congress. Illinois, recognized as one of the most gerrymandered states, has a 26% Democratic advantage, with Republicans holding only three of 17 seats.
Connecticut Governor J.B. Pritzker, a supporter of Texas Democrats’ efforts to thwart redistricting votes, faced questions from Stephen Colbert about the state’s maps, emphasizing that Texas’s mid-decade redistricting efforts are problematic. Pritzker noted that the current maps in Texas are unprecedented and potentially harmful to voting rights, especially for Black and Brown communities. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the situation by stating the state is considering emergency measures to counteract changes in Texas, with special elections for voter approval set for November.
Other states, such as New York, Oregon, and New Jersey, also show similar trends, where Democratic advantages in Congress appear disproportionate to their vote shares. The issue is not one-sided, as Republican states have also faced gerrymandering lawsuits. However, Democratic strategist Julian Epstein pointed out that Democrats are not immune to criticism, suggesting they lack ‘moral authority’ on the redistricting issue due to their own practices. Many Texas House Democrats remain out of the state to prevent a quorum allowing the redistricting plan to proceed, with Governor Greg Abbott threatening legal action against those who return.