Texas knows how powerful redistricting can be. In 2003 the Republicans successfully passed a mid-decade map that resulted into the GOP gaining six congressional seats in the elections that followed. This year another round of redistricting is in the works with the Texas Republicans hold the power in the state.

Redistricting-and-the-Republicans Texas Republicans have the majority in both chambers of the state Legislature and they have control of the governorship. Texas gains four more seats in Congress due to its growing population. The Republicans can decide where the new districts will go and the candidates that are likely to win in them.

It’s not just in Texas that the Republicans will have the advantage as states are preparing to redraw political borders. As a result of last November’s elections, the GOP controls 29 governorships and has the majority in state legislatures. The Republicans has the power on the redistricting process in the states of Alabama, Indiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

But there are limits as to what the Republicans can do during redistricting. Politicians want to draw maps that would benefit their party as well as make safe districts for them in the future. The GOP might want to create more Republican districts but self-serving politicians don’t want to lose their voters in the process.