In a recent appearance on CNN's State of the Union, Beto O'Rourke, the former Texas Representative known for his unsuccessful bids for the presidency, Texas governorship, and Senate, made a bold call for Democrats to adopt a more aggressive approach in their quest to regain political power.
O'Rourke's remarks come at a time when the Texas GOP is preparing to embark on a special session aimed at redrawing the state's congressional maps, a move encouraged by President Donald Trump to bolster Republican representation.
As reported by The Post Millennial, the Texas GOP's redistricting efforts are part of a broader strategy to increase their congressional seats, with President Trump suggesting that Texas could potentially secure an additional five Republican seats. Currently, the state has 25 Republican representatives out of a total of 38, with Democrats holding the remaining 12.
O'Rourke, in his conversation with host Jake Tapper, emphasized the need for Democrats to adopt a more combative stance, stating, "Match fire with fire. I think Democrats in the past, too often have been more concerned with being right than being in power. And we've seen Republicans only care about being in power regardless of what is right."
The discussion also touched upon California's approach to redistricting, where an independent commission is responsible for drawing congressional district lines. Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed interest in revisiting this process, potentially allowing lawmakers to take charge or proposing a ballot measure to amend the state constitution. Tapper questioned O'Rourke on whether he supports Newsom's efforts, to which O'Rourke responded affirmatively, advocating for Democrats to leverage their power in states where they hold a majority. "We have to get serious," O'Rourke asserted. "We have to be absolutely ruthless about getting back in power. So yes, in California, in Illinois, in New York, wherever we have the trifecta of power, we have to use that to its absolute extent."
O'Rourke also highlighted the potential risks for Republicans in their redistricting endeavors, suggesting that dispersing Republican voters to create new districts could backfire. He urged Democrats to focus on voter registration and engagement efforts in Texas, emphasizing the importance of groundwork ahead of the 2026 elections.
"So in Texas, we've got to get out there and register and meet the voters who are going to decide the outcomes in these next elections, if they're successful with this redistricting," he said. "Our group, powered by people, is doing this right now on the ground. We can't wait for 2026we've got to do the work right now in 2025."
Meanwhile, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett has voiced opposition to the GOP's redistricting plans, labeling them as "discriminatory." The Texas GOP's efforts are constrained by the Voting Rights Act, which mandates that certain districts maintain a majority-minority composition to ensure minority voters can elect representatives who reflect their demographic preferences.
This legal requirement presents a significant challenge to the GOP's redistricting ambitions, underscoring the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing battle for political influence in Texas.
Login