Washington, D.C. — With bipartisan opposition from citizens in the Lone Star State and polls showing that Donald Trump’s order to gerrymander is a nonstarter with voters, it’s no wonder Texas Republicans are going into this redraw reluctantly. 

To start, take a look at local editorial boards across the Lone Star State calling out Governor Abbott and other state Republicans for this gerrymandering scheme:

“Redistricting scheme could backfire on GOP. And it’s bad for Fort Worth”
— Editorial Board, Fort Worth Star-Telegram 

“Redistricting ploy sells out Texas voters to shore up GOP seats”
— Editorial Board, Austin American-Statesman

“Gov. Greg Abbott’s mid-decade redistricting of Texas is cynical and cowardly”
— Editorial Board, San Antonio Express-News

There is also bipartisan opposition among citizens in the Lone Star State against the gerrymandering scheme. Although the Republican-led legislature has only scheduled three in-person hearings and just four virtual hearings, their sham process isn’t stopping Texans from showing up to speak out. 

In Austin, hundreds of citizens showed up to testify, with lines running out the door of the hearing room. In Houston, the room again filled to capacity, with lines of citizens out the door, with more than 700 people signed up to testify. The final in-person hearing is taking place today at the University of Texas’s campus in Arlington, Texas. Meanwhile, the last hearing, where the public has a chance to testify, will take place virtually at 9 AM CT tomorrow, July 29.  

Here’s a sample of testimonies from the July 24 public hearing in Austin:

“Please don’t forget that as Texans, we do not— we do not—bend the knee to anyone in Washington,” said Alicia Perez-Hodge, a longtime conservative activist who opposed the process. [CBS Austin: Tempers flare at Texas redistricting hearing as critics slam mid-cycle map effort]

“When I saw what you folks were doing up here in the Legislature, I got screaming mad,” said Christy Stockman, from Corpus Christi. “It’s a good old fashioned bait-and-switch, with a power grab added in.” [Texas Tribune: Texans, Democrats condemn GOP redistricting plans at first public hearing] 

“I am dismayed that the legislative session is not focused on — first and foremost — flood relief and infrastructure for preventing devastation and loss of life in the future,” said Robin Peeples. [Houston Public Media: ‘We will not let Trump take over’: Texans rally as state lawmakers begin redistricting hearings]

Here’s a sample of testimonies from the July 26 public hearing in Houston:

“I wish that this Legislature were working on redistricting fairness rather than gerrymandering,” said Jerome Wald, a longtime Houston resident of the 7th Congressional District. “Instead, I’m here to testify against this harmful attempt to redraw congressional districts in the middle of the decade.” [Texas Tribune: Texas House redistricting committee’s Houston hearing draws criticism over absence of maps]

Michael Knight says he’s a lifelong Republican. “My message today is I care far more about protecting the cohesiveness and my community and it being properly represented, than I do about marginalizing anyone I might disagree with,” Knight said in testimony. [KHOU 11: Houston hearing reveals tensions over congressional district changes]

Lynita Robinson, a Houston resident, told the committee that there’s a lot on the line when it comes to redrawing district lines. “When you fracture and manipulate districts, you weaken our collective power to push for economic opportunity for fair wages, infrastructure and education,” she said. “You undercut racial justice by silencing the very voices that continue to call out discrimination in health care, housing and policing.” [El Paso Times: Texas House redistricting committee’s Houston hearing draws criticism over absence of maps]

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