Pfluger district loses 11 counties

October 31 – District 11 of U.S. Representative August Pfluger, which includes Ector and Midland counties, will be very different if the new Texas Congressional Redistribution Map survives the U.S. Department of Justice’s scrutiny and the legal challenges from Democrats.

The map cuts out 11 counties, including Andrews and Dawson, and adds Lampasas and part of Bell to reduce the district from 29 counties to 20 and make it more compact and much less east-west oriented.

“I will continue to fight for energy, agriculture, a strong army and our heroic veterans, regardless of district boundaries,” Pfluger said from Washington. “I will always be true to my oath to the Constitution and this district that I call my home.

“Unfortunately, the reality of population growth in urban areas of Texas has prevented the 11th Congressional District from remaining the same as its current makeup,” said the Republican of San Angelo. “The changes enacted by the state legislature will take effect in 2023. Until then, my commitment to serving the 29 counties currently in the district remains unwavering.”

The 2020 census results increased the number of congressional districts in Texas from 36 to 38, with each congressman still representing about 750,000 people. With Andrews and Dawson, where Lamesa is the county seat, Pfluger loses the counties of Callahan, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Hood, Martin, Mitchell, Palo Pinto and Stephens with Andrews, Dawson and Mitchell entering the 19th district representative of Lubbock. Jodey Arrington and the others joining the 25th District of Austin Rep. Roger Williams.

In addition to the counties of Ector and Midland, the congressman retains the counties of Brown, Coke, Coleman, Concho, Glasscock, Irion, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills, Runnels, San Saba and Sterling and his Tom Green’s hometown.

Ector County Republican President Tisha Crow said that while Pfluger regretted losing his old counties, the new roster would make it easier for him to visit and campaign. “He had a huge district and that will make it more manageable,” Crow said.

The story continues

“It doesn’t extend 400 miles east, which is good for Odessa in many ways, and still having Llano, Mason, McCulloch and San Saba, he can host big events right in the middle of those four. counties that cover all four. “

Crow said the political makeup of the 11 would not be changed. “It won’t change the district’s conservative bent at all and it could help Districts 19 and 25,” she said.

Ector County Democratic President Hannah Horick said the addition of Bell County north of Fort Hood “is exciting because 11 will no longer be one of the redder congressional districts in the country.

“There are a lot of black voters in Bell County and the new card will increase the number of Democrats in District 11 from 18 to 28%.” But it’s a little disheartening to lose places like Andrews because they have much more in common with the 11 than they do with the 19 or the 25. “