2020 Election Series — The Battle for the Texas House and Control of Redistricting in 2021

For the first time in more than 10 years, Texas Democrats have a realistic prospect of taking back control of the Texas House (which they lost in 2002). If Democrats flip the House, Republicans would not be able to draw tailor-made congressional districts for the 38 or 39 seats Texas will receive in the 2021 apportionment. Conversely, if Republicans retain control of the Texas House, the party will be able to draw congressional districts in a way that optimizes GOP victories across the state during the upcoming decade. Which party controls the Texas House could also either increase or decrease the Republican party’s prospects for flipping the U.S. House during the next decade, as Texas provides the largest number of House Republican caucus members by far.

At this webinar, Cassandra Pollock and Ross Ramsey of The Texas Tribune analyzed the 15 to 20 Texas House races that will decide which party controls the Texas House in 2021 and discussed the broader political consequences of the outcome of the congressional elections this fall. Political science fellow Mark P. Jones moderated the discussion.

This event, sponsored by the Presidential Elections Program, is part of the Baker Institute 2020 Election Series, which highlights critical policy issues ahead of the 2020 presidential election. This webinar series features institute fellows, scholars and guests discussing a range of critical domestic and foreign policy issues in the lead up to November 3.

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