Political chaos is erupting in Texas again. Just days before the 2026 election filings open, a panel of federal judges in El Paso still hasn’t decided if the state will use the new Republican-drawn congressional map — or keep the old one from 2021.

The decision will shape the next decade of Texas politics. The new lines, passed during a fiery summer special session, could give the GOP up to five additional U.S. House seats — a major boost ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrats and civil rights groups quickly sued, calling it racial gerrymandering

Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton aren’t backing down. Both have filed suits to remove House Democrats who fled the state to block the vote earlier this year. Abbott called it “a victory for accountability,” while Paxton slammed them as

“cowards” who “abandoned their responsibilities.”

President Donald Trump has reportedly pressured Texas leaders to ensure the new map delivers at least five safe Republican seats — a key move to solidify

GOP control of the U.S. House.

But here’s the bombshell: if the judges reject the GOP maps, the case will head straight to the U.S. Supreme Court – turning Texas into the next national flashpoint in America’s redistricting wars.

Meanwhile, Democrats like Rep. Jasmine Crockett Julie Johnson, and Marc Veasey are scrambling to decide which district they’ll even run in — while voters wait to see how their neighborhoods will be redrawn.

The clock is ticking. Candidate filings open in just days.

If the ruling drops this week, Texas politics could be thrown into total chaos overnight.

Stay tuned — this story isn’t just about Texas. It’s about who controls Congress next year.