Pasadena councilman joins lawsuit claiming Texas’ new congressional maps weaken Hispanic voting power
The lawsuit argues the changes shifted Pasadena into a district stretching toward Liberty County — a move plaintiffs say dilutes Latino representation ahead of the next election.
A Pasadena councilman has joined civil‑rights groups including LULAC and MALDEF, in a lawsuit challenging Texas’s new congressional maps, saying the mid‑decade redraw was rushed, weakens minority voting power, and was done for political advantage.
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Councilman Emmanuel Guerrero said the change moved Pasadena out of Congressional District 29 into a reconfigured CD 9 that now stretches into Liberty County.
“Now all of Pasadena, all the way to Liberty County, is Congressional District 9,” Guerrero said, arguing the swap makes the district more favorable to the president and reduces Hispanic influence."
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University of St. Thomas political‑science student Danny Fuentes, who grew up in the area now inside CD 9, said adding Liberty County shifts the district’s political balance and noted the historically low Hispanic turnout in the area.
Guerrero also accused state leaders of a “hidden agenda,” saying national Republicans sought additional seats in Congress.
The governor’s office pushed back. A statement from Gov. Greg Abbott’s press team said the maps reflect Texans’ conservative voting preferences and denied racial motivations, calling accusations of racial intent “false,” and noting Democrats previously described the redraw as a “partisan power grab.”
Manvel Councilwoman Crystal Sarmiento, a Mexican American conservative Latina, voiced support for the new lines, saying they force candidates to “earn” votes.
MORE: Lawmakers redrew Texas’ congressional districts. See how yours changed.
The lawsuit seeks to restore the former maps before the upcoming elections. Plaintiffs argued the maps were drawn five years before the next census and, therefore, before the data normally used for redistricting.
A preliminary injunction hearing was held last week; Guerrero said the plaintiffs hope for a decision by the end of next month.
