While the budget fight continues in the Texas Legislature, the much anticipated redistricting process has begun to move along as well. While none of the plans are official, some possibilities have been submitted. You can view them on the Texas Legislative Council's district viewer.
State Board of Education, Texas House, Texas Senate, and US Congress must all be redrawn as a result of Texas's increase in population in the 2010 US Census. One would think that this may benefit some Democrats, as most populations have increased in urban areas and among minorities, but Republicans will most likely ensure to gerrymander the districts according to their liking to prevent such a case.
It seems the only official potential redraw has been done by Rep. Burt Solomons for the SBOE. Those of us in Denton County would be part of the redrawn 11th district, which would be smaller than the current beyond massive 14th district. The only drawback to being placed in district 11 is it will still be solidly Republican and is currently held by someone even more right wing than Gail Lowe. Patricia Hardy is a member of the right wing social agenda on the board and would most likely hold her seat.
Apparently citizens can submit what they think the new districts should look like as well, as there are a number of proposals for Congressional districts on the website currently. Only one plan seems intent on keeping Denton County in one district, but it would place it with Collin County. The others have it split up among either 2 or 3 districts. But the intent is clear, in order to ensure Denton County, or at least parts of it, remain Republican.
We should not expect Rep. Solomons to do us any favors here on the home front. The hope may be slim, but hopefully some of these districts will at least give Democrats the potential to represent their constituents fairly.
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