Rove: Both parties face ‘consequences' in Texas redistricting battle

The Hill

3 hours ago

Political pundit Karl Rove said both Democrats and Republicans face an uphill battle when it comes to redistricting, amid state regulations and contested campaigns.
'First of all, let's admit there are gonna be consequences for both parties as a result of what is happening in Texas that neither party will like,' Rove said during a Thursday appearance on Fox News's 'America's Newsroom.'
The former Bush administration adviser said GOP candidates won't automatically win races if five additional House seats are added in the Lone Star State, as their opponents pose stiff competition.
'There are not a lot of places you can see a clear path for the Democrats picking up a number of seats to counter what might happen in Texas, a gain of four or five,' Rove told Fox News.
'And remember, when we talk about five seats in Texas, one of those seats requires the Republicans to beat a popular, albeit troubled Democratic incumbent who ran 6 points ahead of Kamala Harris last fall and one of the 13 people who — 13 Democrats who won a seat that Donald Trump carried,' he added, likely referring to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).
Democrats in New York and California are pushing to counter Republican efforts by altering state constitutions to approve redrawn congressional districts outside a census cycle.
Rove said the measures are unlikely to advance.
'Gov. [Gavin] Newsom would need to first get legislation through his very pliant democratic legislature, which he can do. But then he would have to go to the voters in November and get them to retroactively remove the provision from the constitution and validate his plan, and that's a very big uphill climb,' the political pundit noted earlier in the segment.
'New York, Gov. [Kathy] Hochul, says all is fair in love and war, and we're gonna retaliate, but her constitution prohibits them from mid-decade redistricting and so hard for us to see how that gets done. Now, can Maryland step in maybe and by legislation make — take away the one Republican seat in the state,' he added.
Texas Democrats have fled the state in an effort to block a vote that would approve additional House seats.
However, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has urged the FBI to ensure lawmakers return under the threat of legal recourse.
President Trump has said the FBI 'may have to' get involved after telling reporters GOP officials were 'entitled' to additional representatives in Washington.