Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called a special legislative session to redraw the maps, while Democrats are contemplating a walkout to prevent a quorum and disrupt the process, despite potential fines.

Despite fears of backlash or electoral risks, Trump’s push for aggressive redistricting reflects his strategy to avoid the midterm losses typically faced by incumbent presidents.

Texas currently has 38 House seats, with Republicans holding 25 and Democrats 12, following the death of Democrat Sylvester Turner earlier this year.

Legal risks loom for the redistricting process, especially regarding compliance with the Voting Rights Act, as aggressive redrawing could dilute minority voting power and lead to lawsuits.

Amid political challenges and unfavorable polling for Trump, his push for aggressive redistricting is seen as a high-risk, high-reward strategy aimed at maintaining GOP control and avoiding midterm losses.

Texas Republicans are actively redrawing congressional maps to create five new winnable seats, largely driven by former President Trump's encouragement, as they aim to secure control of the House in the 2026 elections.

The Rio Grande Valley remains a focal point for Republican redistricting efforts, targeting Democratic incumbents like Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, amid changing demographics and tighter races.

There is a significant risk that aggressive gerrymandering could create 'dummymanders,' which might inadvertently jeopardize Republican incumbents, highlighting the potential for redistricting to backfire.

This redistricting effort in Texas is part of a broader Republican strategy seen in other states like Ohio, where GOP-controlled legislatures are also seeking to redraw maps to their advantage.

Democrats are considering countermeasures in states they control, but many have independent commissions that limit partisan gerrymandering, complicating Republican efforts.

Trump has publicly rallied Texas Republicans to pursue aggressive redistricting, citing his previous electoral success in the state and urging them to be bold in their efforts.

In 2021, Texas Republicans adopted a cautious approach to redistricting to protect incumbents, but some now believe they can pursue more aggressive lines without risking their seats.

The term 'dummymander' describes the risk that aggressive redistricting could backfire, potentially jeopardizing Republican-held seats rather than strengthening them.