Democrat Announces Resignation
Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D) has confirmed he will not seek reelection after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Texas to move forward with its new Republican-drawn congressional map — a major shift that strengthens GOP momentum ahead of next year’s elections.
Doggett, who has served in Congress since 1995, announced Friday that this will be his final year in office. He said he plans to stay active in his community after stepping away from what has been a decades-long political career.
Doggett said he plans to approach the coming year with the same drive and focus as if it were his final one — because it will indeed be his last in elected office.
GOP Map Advances After Months of Democrat Delays and Walkouts
Texas Republicans pushed to update the state’s congressional lines earlier this year, aiming to give voters more accurate representation and reduce the number of heavily protected Democrat districts. The move quickly triggered a political standoff.
Democrat lawmakers fled the state in an attempt to block the vote and halt the redistricting process. Their walkout failed only after national Democrats — including California Gov. Gavin Newsom — promised to pursue their own partisan redistricting strategies in blue states to offset potential GOP gains.
Once Democrats returned, Texas lawmakers passed the new map into law.
Federal Judges Tried To Block the Map, But the Supreme Court Overruled Them
A federal panel claimed last month that the map was likely a “racial gerrymander” and attempted to stop the state from using it. But Texas appealed, and the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
In a major decision Thursday, the Court ruled that Texas may move forward with its new map, clearing the way for it to be used in next year’s midterm elections. The ruling is widely viewed as a victory for Texas Republicans and a setback for Democrats seeking to protect long-held seats.
Doggett Exits Congress With Partisan Swipe at Trump and the GOP
Even as he announced his retirement, Doggett took aim at the Supreme Court’s ruling and praised Justice Elena Kagan’s dissent. He accused Republicans — and President Trump specifically — of using redistricting to strengthen their political position heading into 2026.
Doggett argued that what he called Trump’s “racial gerrymandering” is merely the opening move in a broader effort to influence next year’s election and keep a House majority that won’t challenge him.
He warned that “more outrageous schemes will follow,” signaling continued Democrat frustration over GOP success in reshaping the political map.
Despite stepping down, Doggett vowed to “continue doing my part to vigorously fight back,” both in Texas and nationwide.
Why This Story Matters for Conservative Readers 50+
The Supreme Court’s ruling underscores a broader trend: Republican-led states are successfully advancing election reforms despite aggressive legal challenges from the left. With long-time Democrats like Doggett stepping aside, the political landscape in Texas is shifting even more toward conservative leadership — a development that will play a major role in the 2026 elections.
