South Texas tests Democrats’ edge as gerrymander reshapes battleground

Democrats see a path through Texas’ new map that added GOP seats by targeting heavily Hispanic South Texas, arguing that despite the redder districts, down‑ballot results and Latino turnout could tilt the races in Cuellar’s, Gonzalez’s and several challengers’ favor. Republicans caution that district lines don’t predict outcomes and warn Latinos may shift back to the GOP, especially amid immigration crackdowns that have disrupted labor in farming and construction. Democrats are leveraging border-policy discontent and economic concerns at events with local builders and community leaders, noting that March primaries showed rising Democratic turnout in the region, though success will hinge on whether Latino voters stay with Democrats or return to the Republicans in these border districts.