Story perspectives

GOP Maps Filed; Texas Senate Primary, Israel Probe Requested

5/9/2026

Center

States Sign Maps

State officials in Texas, Florida, Missouri, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah and Tennessee signed congressional maps, activating them for elections.
Republican-led legislatures filed new U.S. House maps in eight states to boost GOP seats before the 2026 elections.
Texas primaries on May 18 will select Senate, attorney general, with Ken Paxton versus John Cornyn for Senate.
Rep. Joaquin Castro and House Democrats asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to disclose Israel’s nuclear program.

Left

Hinojosa Calls Tax

Candidate Gina Hinojosa called Governor Greg Abbott’s policies a “Greg Abbott Corruption Tax” and urged suspending the 20-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax.
Republican-led legislatures filed revised U.S. House maps in eight states to boost GOP seats before the 2026 elections.
Texas poll shows 61 % concerned about prices, Abbott trails Hinojosa by five to six points.
Super-PAC memo warns nominating Attorney General Ken Paxton could flip four GOP-held districts to Democrats.

History

Historical Context

On November 8, 1994, the Republican Revolution—driven by Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America—swept the House, adding 54 seats to give Republicans 264 members for the first majority since 1952. The win also flipped dozens of state legislatures, including Texas and Florida. Those GOP-controlled bodies now file new congressional maps that could lock in their advantage through the 2026 elections.

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States Sign Maps

State officials in Texas, Florida, Missouri, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah and Tennessee signed congressional maps, activating them for elections.
Republican-led legislatures filed new U.S. House maps in eight states to boost GOP seats before the 2026 elections.
Texas primaries on May 18 will select Senate, attorney general, with Ken Paxton versus John Cornyn for Senate.
Rep. Joaquin Castro and House Democrats asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to disclose Israel’s nuclear program.

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