I have read numerous articles on how the Republicans chose the new congressional districts. The one that I believe best explains what they are doing comes from the Houston Chronicle.
The Texas Tribune also has an excellent explanation of what the Republicans are doing.
Democrats have their work cut out for them; they have to increase voting participation within all those low-voting precincts and convince people to vote for Democrats. Honestly, if it weren’t for Trump, I probably wouldn’t care who represented me. When Trump got the nomination in 2016, I promised myself that I would not vote for anyone who had an R in front of their name. I have kept that promise for eight years and intend to keep it till the day I quit voting.
What the Republicans did with those low-voting precincts, which are probably Hispanic, the Democrats have been doing here in Harris County since the 1970s. When Annise Parker was mayor, they created new council districts and claimed that District J was a Hispanic district. No, it wasn’t, and it still is not a Hispanic district. Thus far, we have had two council members: a white guy (Laster) and a black guy (Pollard), both of whom have been the best council members since I moved here in 1978. So, in no way do I think that a Hispanic would do a better job or even attempt to be as good as Laster and Pollard.
It would only be a Latino-opportunity district if you kept everybody but Hispanics from running. Source
When the above article was published, I recall a different message than what was stated in 2021. I don’t remember the person as saying that “It was more of a strategy to put together neighborhoods in such a way that they get more attention, especially when it comes to city services,” Jara said. “It wasn’t going to be a Hispanic-led district overnight.” Source
It was more in line with what Annise Parker said (I believe that District J was created for Mike Laster).
“If the Latino community gets behind the right candidate, funds that candidate, assists that candidate in mobilizing voters … there’s no question in my mind that this district can elect a strong Latino leader to city council. … But it’s not going to happen automatically,” Mayor Annise Parker said at the time.
The following was the truth then, and it is still the truth.
It would only be a Latino-opportunity district if you kept everybody but Hispanics from running. Source
