By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — Texas’s congressional boundaries were thrown into uncertainty this week after a federal court blocked the state’s newly adopted 2025 map, forcing Texas back to its 2021 districts while the legal fight moves to the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling immediately affects every district in the state, including TX-03, where new lines had been expected to reshape the 2026 race.
Court opinion: “Substantial evidence” of racial intent
The Nov. 18 ruling from a three-judge panel in El Paso came in a 2–1 decision, with the majority opinion written by Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, a federal judge appointed in 2019 by former President Donald Trump.
The court found that the evidence presented so far shows the 2025 map was likely drawn in a way that violates the Constitution. The opinion states:
“Politics played a role in drawing the 2025 map. But it was much more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 map.”
The panel cited legislative records and other materials that raised concerns about racial intent and ordered:
“The 2026 congressional election in Texas shall proceed under the map that the Texas Legislature enacted in 2021.”
Because the order takes effect immediately, Texas cannot implement the 2025 map unless a higher court intervenes.
What the ruling means for Texas 2026 Elections
With the 2025 map blocked, Texas election authorities may need to prepare for the 2026 cycle using the 2021 congressional boundaries. That includes administrative tasks such as candidate filings, precinct assignments, and ballot preparation.
If the state obtains a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, the 2025 map could still be used. Without a stay, the 2021 map will remain in place while the full case proceeds to trial.
Attorney General Paxton: “The Big Beautiful Map was entirely legal”
Attorney General Ken Paxton said he will appeal the ruling directly to the U.S. Supreme Court and seek an emergency stay. In his statement, Paxton argued that:
“The radical left is once again trying to undermine the will of the people. The Big Beautiful Map was entirely legal and passed for partisan purposes to better represent the political affiliations of Texas.”
He added:
“When Republicans respond in kind, Democrats rely on false accusations of racism to secure a partisan advantage.”
Paxton said he “fully expects the Court to uphold Texas’s sovereign right to engage in partisan redistricting,” noting the map was enacted by the Legislature and signed by Governor Abbott after a quorum break by House Democrats.
Plesa: “This is a moral victory”
State Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D-Plano) praised the ruling and tied it to the quorum break by House Democrats earlier this year. In her statement, she wrote:
“Today, a federal court handed down a historic ruling: Texas cannot use the GOP’s racially gerrymandered congressional map in the 2026 midterms. As Judge Jeffrey V. Brown wrote, ‘Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 map.’ Let me be clear, this is not just a legal victory. This is a moral one.”
Plesa also recalled the response to Democrats’ decision to break quorum during the summer redistricting fight:
“When we broke quorum this summer, we were mocked, threatened, attacked, and even hit with arrest warrants…”
She added:
“This wasn’t accidental. It was a naked power grab—an attempt to cheat, rig, and silence millions of Texans, especially voters of color. The court ruling makes it plain: we were right to take a stand.”
Plesa said Democrats expect the state to appeal but will continue opposing the map.
Impact on TX-03: District remains unchanged for now
For Collin County residents, the ruling means Texas’s 3rd Congressional District (TX-03) will continue under the 2021 boundaries, which cover central Collin County and part of Hunt County. The blocked 2025 map would have stretched TX-03 across several additional counties, but those changes are now paused.
Democratic congressional candidate Evan Hunt said the decision provides needed clarity:
“The redistricting ruling means TX-03 will stay on the 2021 map for the 2026 election cycle. That is significant for our race because the proposed 2025 map would have split this district across seven counties. The court’s decision keeps TX-03 anchored in the same two counties we have now: Collin and Hunt.”
He added:
“This brings stability. Instead of being moved into districts with little connection to our local needs, these communities will continue voting together. The ruling prevents sudden shifts in representation and gives candidates and voters a clear path forward for 2026.”
After Hunt’s remarks, the Collin County Democratic Party also weighed in. Chair Jeremy Sutka called the decision “a resounding victory for democracy,” saying the judges recognized an attempt to “silence diverse communities” in North Texas. He said reverting to the 2021 map “immediately changes the political landscape for TX-03 and every contested district,” adding that Democrats expect an appeal but are prepared to compete “on any map.”
TX3DNews reached out to Rep. Keith Self’s office and the Collin County GOP for comment but has not yet received responses.
What happens next
Texas has already appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court and seek an emergency stay. Because election deadlines begin early in 2026, the justices are likely to review the request quickly.
If the Court grants the stay, the 2025 map can be used in the next election cycle. If denied, the 2021 map remains in effect while the case moves forward.
What it means for TX-03
For now, TX-03 remains under the 2021 boundaries. Whether those lines stay in place for the 2026 elections — or shift to the blocked 2025 map — will depend on how quickly the U.S. Supreme Court rules on Texas’s stay request. Because candidate filing deadlines begin early in 2026, a stay would likely need to be granted by mid-January for the state to realistically switch maps.
If the Court grants the stay, the 2025 map could still take effect. If it does not, the 2021 map will remain in place while the case moves forward.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include additional statements received after initial publication. TX3DNews requested comment from Rep. Keith Self and the Collin County GOP but has not yet received responses.