Democrats have no moral authority in the latest redistricting battle sweeping across Texas and beyond. Their fierce opposition to Texas lawmakers’ redrawing plans has sparked national headlines. However, critics argue that their outrage is selective and strategically motivated.
Texas Democrats recently fled the state. They aimed to halt a vote that could reshape congressional maps in favor of Republicans. Their absence made waves. Blue-state leaders rolled out the red carpet, praising them for their protest.
However, backlash is building. Democratic strategist Julian Epstein voiced sharp criticism on national TV. He stated bluntly that Democrats have no moral authority on this issue. According to him, many blue states already gerrymander heavily to block GOP influence.
Moreover, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Mexico stand as prime examples. Notably, these states have no Republican House members at all. Consequently, their oddly-shaped districts raise eyebrows and draw accusations of partisan map-making.
In fact, Democratic strategist Julian Epstein acknowledged this issue. “The Democrats don’t have clean hands,” Epstein said. Furthermore, he pointed to states like Illinois, California, and New Jersey. Each of these, he argued, has drawn districts that effectively sideline Republican voters. For example, in New Jersey, Donald Trump won 46% of the vote in 2024. Nevertheless, Republicans hold only 3 of the state’s 12 congressional seats.
As a result, this national redistricting war could spiral out of control, Epstein warned. He cautioned that, if left unchecked, it may become a “race to the bottom” where both parties abandon fairness. Eventually, voters in minority-party states may begin feeling alienated from the democratic process.
Similarly, Texas Republican Rep. Brian Harrison echoed these concerns. He slammed Democrats for what he called “total hypocrisy and faux outrage.” According to him, Democrats have no moral authority to criticize Republican-led redistricting efforts. “Democrat states have gerrymandered for years without remorse,” he said. Specifically, Harrison named several states—Vermont, Rhode Island, and Delaware—where Republicans have no voice in Congress.
In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a bold countermeasure. He pledged emergency redistricting to neutralize Texas’s actions. Importantly, Newsom emphasized transparency and public consent for the changes. Looking ahead, a special election may happen as early as this November.Texas Republicans argue that their redistricting push follows population growth. The Lone Star State gained significant residents since the last census. They claim the new map reflects demographic shifts, not political games.
Still, as both parties dig in deeper, tensions show no sign of easing. With every redraw, voters grow more skeptical. And as critics like Epstein remind us, Democrats have no moral authority left in this fight.
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