A number of Democratic governors are supportive of their colleagues’ pursuits in redrawing their state’s Congressional maps to profit Democratic Celebration candidates forward of the 2026 midterms, responding to a push from President Trump and others to attract new lines in Texas to be extra favorable to GOP candidates.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) mentioned she is supportive of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and different Democratic governors who’ve shown openness to altering district maps to profit Democratic candidates subsequent yr.
“I’ve by no means believed in unilateral disarmament, and so whereas I could not need to take part in sure actions, if I’ve to, to be able to stage the taking part in area, I’d help my Democratic colleagues who determine to reply in form,” Kelly mentioned in an interview with ABC Information that was published Saturday morning.
“If the opposite facet goes to pursue this, whatever the apparent unconstitutionality of it, then I do not assume we’ve got another selection however to go there. You simply do not go to the entrance traces with out your bullets,” Kelly advised the outlet, including that her “desire” can be for the courts to step in.
Kelly, the chair of the Democratic Governors Affiliation, together with Wisconsin’s Gov. Tony Evers (D) and different Democratic governors, was in Madison, Wisc., for a summer time coverage retreat.
Trump needs Republicans to select up 5 seats in Texas. Redistricting sometimes occurs each 10 years, however the effort by Texas might assist Republicans yield 5 spots and in the end assist the social gathering maintain the bulk within the Home.
On Saturday, the Texas Home Choose Committee on Congressional Redistricting advanced proposed congressional maps that might give the GOP a possibility to grab 5 Home seats subsequent yr.
Democrats have pushed again, together with Texas Democrats who’ve accused the GOP of “attempting to rig the midterms.”
Evers, who mentioned that Wisconsin won’t be altering its Congressional traces, argued that Democrats must do extra to push again in opposition to Republicans.
“We’re not altering our maps. Right here within the state of Wisconsin, we labored onerous to get truthful maps, and we will proceed to take action … in my coronary heart of hearts, that is the place we’ve got to be. However when … you will have a gun in opposition to your head, you bought to do one thing,” Evers mentioned, in keeping with ABC.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who was ex-Vice President Harris’s working mate throughout the 2024 presidential election, mentioned that Democrats usually are not coping with a “regular administration.”
“We’re taking part in with one that’s throwing all the principles out. I believe it’s incumbent upon states which have the capability or the flexibility to guarantee that we’re responding in form,” Walz mentioned on Friday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “It’s a horrible spot we’re in as a county, however not responding goes to make it even worse.”
Florida might observe Texas’ footsteps as a rising variety of Republicans within the state are displaying help for altering Congressional district traces.