Texas in the News Quiz November 8, 2021

District Musical Chairs

One consequence of newly drawn district lines through the decennial process of redistricting is that incumbents (those currently in office) may be drawn out of their districts or may see better political opportunities in another district.

This was the case in 2021 for not one but two Congressmen from Texas: Democratic Representative Vicente Gonzales and Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett. Representative Gonzales represents the 15^th District, which stretches from south Texas to San Antonio. Representative Doggett, who has been in office since 1995, represents the 35^th District, which stretches from San Antonio to Austin. Gonzales plans to run in the newly drawn 34^th District, which is more Democratic-leaning than his old district after the new lines were drawn. Doggett plans to run in the new 37^th District, an area closer to the original district he ran in when he first ran for office.

Democrats are holding on to a slight majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, so every seat won or lost has national implications for control of government.

Read the following articles to find out more about these members’ decisions and the political impacts of their switching districts:

• U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez will run for a different House seat in 2022 after redistricting made his more competitive
• Longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett will run in the Austin area's new congressional district