Texas Rep. Greg Casar, a prominent voice among progressive Democrats and current chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, may be on track to lose his seat in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections due to a controversial GOP-backed redistricting plan advancing through the Texas legislature.
The proposed congressional map would add five districts that former President Donald Trump carried by 10 or more points in the 2024 election, significantly improving Republicans’ chances of maintaining control of the U.S. House.
Casar’s District in the Crosshairs
Casar, who won his seat in 2022 with strong support from progressives like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, currently represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District. The area spans from San Antonio to Austin, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, previously represented by Rep. Lloyd Doggett before the last round of redistricting.
The new redistricting proposal could effectively carve up Casar’s district, making reelection much harder—if not impossible—for the first-term congressman.
Targeting Progressives in Texas
In addition to Casar, Republicans are reportedly looking to eliminate districts held by other left-leaning lawmakers, including Rep. Al Green (D-TX), whose 9th District may be dismantled entirely. Green, who was previously escorted out of the House chamber during one of President Trump’s 2025 addresses, has long been a vocal critic of GOP immigration policy.
Casar, though less nationally recognized than some other “Squad” members, has aligned closely with their platform—advocating for immigration reform, police budget changes, and protections for marginalized communities.
Ongoing Tensions Over Immigration Enforcement
Just this past week, Casar met with officials in San Antonio after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended a Venezuelan national outside a local courthouse. He condemned the practice as “disturbing” and called for oversight of federal operations at sensitive community locations.
“This was one of the most disturbing uses of government power I’ve witnessed,” Casar told local reporters after witnessing the incident firsthand.
Redistricting Sparks Heated Debate
A five-hour hearing before the Texas House Redistricting Committee attracted public comment from dozens of residents across the state. According to CBS Austin, no one spoke in favor of the GOP’s plan during the hearing.
Tensions reached a peak when District 18 candidate Isaiah Martin exceeded his time limit while addressing the committee and refused to yield the floor. He was forcibly removed by Capitol security, shouting:
“History will not remember you for what you have done!”
What’s Next?
The redistricting plan remains under debate, but if passed, it could reshape Texas’s political landscape for years. Casar has not yet commented on his 2026 reelection plans, but political analysts say his district could become a litmus test for the future of progressive influence in red states.
