House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of miscalculating in Texas after aggressive redistricting, saying the GOP has "done eff’d up in Texas" and predicting they will not capture five congressional seats. He pointed to a recent Democratic state senate flip in a Trump-won 2020 district and credited California's Prop. 50 for strengthening Democratic prospects elsewhere. Jeffries said Republicans may even struggle to win three Texas seats based on 2024 performance, framing the dispute as part of a national battle for control of the House ahead of 2026.
Jeffries: GOP 'Done Eff’d Up in Texas' — Predicts They Won't Win Five Seats After Redistricting Backlash
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed Republicans over Texas redistricting, predicting the GOP will struggle to flip seats ahead of 2026.(Fox News)
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries sharply criticized Republican redistricting efforts in Texas on Monday, saying the GOP has "done eff’d up in Texas" and arguing the party's mapmaking could cost it congressional seats.
Speaking at a news conference on Capitol Hill, Jeffries was asked about a recent Texas state senate pickup by a Democrat in a district that President Donald Trump carried in 2020, and whether Democrats could flip four of the five newly redrawn congressional districts in the state.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a "Yes On Prop 50" volunteer event at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles.
'Yes, Republicans done eff’d up in Texas, and they know it,' Jeffries said. 'We knew it months ago, and it’s because of a variety of reasons.'
Jeffries told reporters he believes Republicans overreached with the redistricting plan — attempting to take seats from Democrats under the assumption there would be little pushback — and that the strategy has backfired politically.
He pointed to activity in other states as evidence of broader Democratic resistance. 'California responded decisively, and we will pick up five seats as a result of Prop. 50,' Jeffries said, referring to a California ballot measure he argued has reshaped redistricting rules and improved Democratic prospects in several districts.
Sen. Phil King, T-Texas, displays a map during a Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting public testimony hearing on Aug. 7, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
'It remains to be seen what happens in Texas, but I can guarantee you they won’t win five seats. They’re going to struggle to win three based on 2024 performance alone,' Jeffries added.
The comments followed another Democratic victory in Texas over the weekend, when Taylor Rehmet — a labor union leader and Air Force veteran — flipped a state senate seat in the Fort Worth area by defeating Republican Leigh Wambsganss.
Jeffries praised Rehmet’s campaign and described the result as decisive. 'It was a shellacking for Republicans in Texas that even caught Ron DeSantis’ attention,' he said. 'They can’t ignore it. Republicans have been losing elections, and Democrats have been winning elections since January of last year.'
Fox News Digital reported it had reached out to the Republican Party of Texas for comment.
Why It Matters
The Texas redistricting fight is part of a broader national battle for control of the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterms. Similar clashes are unfolding in states such as Virginia, North Carolina and California as both parties vie for districts that could determine the majority.
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