Bulwark Takes: Rep. Cesar on Texas Gerrymandering and Its Potential Backlash

Episode Title: Rep. Cesar: Texas Gerrymandering Could Backfire Badly
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Release Date: July 19, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, hosted by Lauren Egan, Representative Greg Cassar, Chair of the House Progressive Caucus from Texas, discusses the alarming developments surrounding redistricting efforts in Texas. Cassar delves into how former President Donald Trump is influencing the redrawing of congressional maps to favor Republicans, the legal and ethical implications of these actions, and the potential nationwide repercussions if such tactics are replicated elsewhere.

Redistricting Under Duress: The Texas Situation

Jul 00:48 – 03:05

Representative Greg Cassar sets the stage by describing the current redistricting crisis in Texas as "a five alarm fire with the chance of spreading outside of Texas, all over the country" (02:10). He criticizes Trump’s aggressive maneuvering, including efforts to remove 17 million people from healthcare coverage and his questionable funding practices, highlighting that Trump's primary focus appears to be manipulating electoral outcomes rather than addressing substantive policy issues.

Cassar emphasizes that Trump's strategy involves redrawing Texas congressional districts to secure five additional Republican seats. This plan not only violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965 but also threatens to dismantle communities of color, thereby suppressing Democratic votes and endangering Republican incumbents who are forced to navigate significantly altered constituencies.

Notable Quote:
"Donald Trump is not thinking about the law. He's not thinking about long term. He's not thinking about the Republican Party. He's just thinking about himself, and he's basically just calling the shots." (02:50)

Governor Abbott’s Compliance and Republican Response

Jul 03:05 – 05:21

Lauren Egan probes Cassar about Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to convene a special session for redistricting, succumbing to Trump’s pressure. Cassar reflects on the bleak prospects for Texas Republicans, noting their apparent reluctance to oppose Trump publicly despite potential electoral risks.

He points out the severe consequences of the redistricting plan, including the judicial violations and the destabilization of existing political communities. Cassar underscores the lack of backbone among Texas Republicans to resist Trump’s demands, suggesting they are likely to comply without substantial opposition.

Notable Quote:
"And at this moment, it looks like they're just going to be Trump's water boys." (04:30)

The Legal and Ethical Implications

Jul 05:27 – 09:08

Cassar explains that redistricting typically occurs every ten years post-census, making the current actions not only premature but also strategically timed to influence upcoming midterm elections. He outlines a multi-faceted strategy to combat the redistricting efforts:

1. Delay Tactics: Utilization of filibusters and quorum-busting to stall the redrawing process.
2. Mobilization: Rallying public support both within Texas and nationally to exert pressure on legislators.
3. Legal Challenges: Building robust legal cases against the proposed maps to uphold the Voting Rights Act and prevent racial gerrymandering.

He warns that if successful, the redistricting could eliminate numerous Democratic seats, setting a dangerous precedent nationwide. Cassar emphasizes the importance of collective action to prevent electoral manipulation and safeguard democratic principles.

Notable Quote:
"We should be investing millions of campaign dollars in a way we haven't seen in my lifetime in Texas to target every Republican member of Congress that goes along with this scheme and let voters in these newly drawn districts pick who they want to elect." (08:15)

Potential Backfire: Electoral Risks for Republicans

Jul 09:08 – 13:19

Cassar addresses the possible unintended consequences of the redistricting plan. By forcibly shifting voters from deeply Republican or Democratic districts into more competitive or opposing ones, Republicans risk making some of their own seats more vulnerable to challengers. This could lead to a dilution of their voter base, increasing the likelihood of Democratic or independent candidates winning previously safe Republican seats.

He also notes that Republican map-drawing operatives, who may lack nuanced understanding of local voting patterns, could inadvertently create districts that are more favorable to Democrats, thereby sabotaging Republican efforts to consolidate power.

Notable Quote:
"I do think that Republican members of Congress should be deeply worried that they could lose in a wave election like 2018, if somebody in Washington, D.C. miscalculates and, you know, doesn't know about the voting patterns in Texas." (10:30)

National Repercussions and the Role of Other States

Jul 13:19 – 15:25

Cassar explores the broader implications of Texas’s redistricting efforts, suggesting that if Texas Republicans succeed with these extreme gerrymandering tactics, it could embolden similar actions in other states. He advocates for states with independent redistricting commissions, like California, to intensify their efforts and serve as models to counterbalance Texas's moves.

Cassar stresses the importance of holding governors and legislators accountable for redistricting practices and reinforcing the necessity of independent commissions to prevent partisan manipulation. He calls for a unified national response to ensure that gerrymandering does not undermine electoral integrity across the United States.

Notable Quote:
"We need to recognize that if we show up with a butter knife to a gunfight, we are not representing our constituents." (16:10)

Strategies for Democratic Retaliation and Protection of Voting Rights

Jul 15:25 – 17:03

In concluding the discussion, Cassar outlines actionable steps to counteract the redistricting efforts:

1. Public Advocacy: Encouraging citizens to contact their representatives and express opposition to gerrymandering.
2. Legal Action: Pursuing court battles to challenge unconstitutional maps.
3. Grassroots Mobilization: Building a coalition of voters and activists dedicated to protecting fair electoral practices.

Cassar emphasizes that safeguarding voting rights and ensuring fair representation require persistent effort and collective action. He urges listeners to remain vigilant and proactive in defending democratic institutions against manipulative redistricting tactics.

Notable Quote:
"Politicians got to stop being able to redraw maps and rewrite the rules to pick their voters. We should be investing millions of campaign dollars... to let voters in these newly drawn districts pick who they want to elect." (15:50)

Conclusion

Representative Greg Cassar provides a sobering analysis of the current redistricting battle in Texas, highlighting the significant threats posed by partisan gerrymandering orchestrated by Trump and his allies. The episode serves as a call to action for Democrats and concerned citizens to actively oppose these efforts through legal challenges, public advocacy, and national solidarity. By addressing the immediate crisis in Texas, Cassar underscores the importance of safeguarding democratic processes to prevent similar tactics from undermining electoral integrity across the nation.

Notable Timestamped Quotes:

• "Donald Trump is not thinking about the law. He's not thinking about long term. He's not thinking about the Republican Party. He's just thinking about himself, and he's basically just calling the shots." — Greg Cassar (02:50)

• "We should be investing millions of campaign dollars in a way we haven't seen in my lifetime in Texas to target every Republican member of Congress that goes along with this scheme and let voters in these newly drawn districts pick who they want to elect." — Greg Cassar (08:15)

• "I do think that Republican members of Congress should be deeply worried that they could lose in a wave election like 2018, if somebody in Washington, D.C. miscalculates and, you know, doesn't know about the voting patterns in Texas." — Greg Cassar (10:30)

• "We need to recognize that if we show up with a butter knife to a gunfight, we are not representing our constituents." — Greg Cassar (16:10)

• "Politicians got to stop being able to redraw maps and rewrite the rules to pick their voters. We should be investing millions of campaign dollars... to let voters in these newly drawn districts pick who they want to elect." — Greg Cassar (15:50)

Final Notes:
This episode sheds light on a critical and evolving issue in American politics—gerrymandering for partisan gain—and its potential to reshape the political landscape unfavorably. Greg Cassar's insights provide a thorough understanding of the stakes involved and the necessary steps to preserve democratic integrity.