Five proposed maps leave Tarrant County's Dem precincts hanging
Revised districting maps may alter the partisan composition of Tarrant County's southeastern voting district.
Voting maps for the Tarrant County Commissioners Court are stirring up a storm. These maps, released in April 2025, could reshape southern Tarrant County's Democratic-controlled precincts. And Alisa Simmons, the Democratic County Commissioner, sees it as a devious attempt to kick her out of her seat.
Local Politics: A Never-Ending Drama
In April 2025, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, in a 3-2 decision, hired a conservative law firm to redraw commissioners' precincts. The Republicans were all for it, arguing that a redistricting was long overdue. Democrats, on the other hand, accused their counterparts of redrawing the maps to solidify their majority on the court.
Five Proposed Scenarios
Now, we have five proposed maps on the table. Each one would significantly reshape the Democrat-controlled precincts in southern Tarrant County. Precinct 2, currently representing Arlington, might lose a chunk to extension west through Fort Worth's southern suburbs under these new maps.
Commissioner Alisa Simmons, up for reelection next year, isn't optimistic. "I don't see any electability for myself in these proposed maps," she said. "One of these five maps is going to be selected by the majority of the court members, and neither of them have a path to reelection for me for Precinct 2."
A Shifting Voting Tide?
According to election data since 2016, Precinct 2 has leaned Democratic in races for president, U.S. Senate, and governor. But flip the script, these new proposed versions paint a different picture - a predominantly Republican-favoring Precinct 2.
Political Science Professor Brandon Rottinghaus weighed in, "These maps definitely make the distribution of seats look much more Republican and much more to the right than it was before."
Gerrymandering: A Time-Honored Tradition?
This move isn't exactly revolutionary. University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus explained, "These are common political maneuvers designed to tip the scales in favor of one party."
In the Wake of Criticism, What's Next?
The county will hold four public hearings about redistricting this month. Citizens can also comment on the redistricting process and even propose their own maps. The final vote is scheduled for June 2025. Stay tuned!
- The proposed maps for Tarrant County's Commissioners Court have stirred controversy, as they may reshape the Democratic-controlled precincts, a move deemed devious by Democratic County Commissioner Alisa Simmons.
- In the ongoing debate of policy-and-legislation and politics, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 to hire a conservative law firm for mapmaking, a decision that could affect the distribution of seats by leaning more towards the Republican party.
- Commissioner Alisa Simmons, who is up for reelection next year, expressed her concerns about the new maps, stating that none of the five proposed scenarios offer a path to reelection for her in Precinct 2.
- The proposed maps might significantly reshape Precinct 2, currently representing Arlington, by potentially moving a portion west through Fort Worth's southern suburbs.
- These new proposed maps could change the voting tide in Precinct 2, as election data since 2016 show precinct leaning Democratic, but the new maps paint a picture of a predominantly Republican-favoring Precinct 2.
