Residents of Denver Harbor, a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Houston’s East End, are expressing anxiety over a proposed redistricting plan that could significantly alter their political landscape and representation.
The plan, driven by Texas State Republicans and backed by President Donald Trump, seeks to reshape congressional districts, potentially shifting this community from its longstanding Democratic representation to a newly formed Republican-leaning district.
The implications of this move are profound for a neighborhood that is approximately 90% Latino and has consistently voted for Democratic candidates.
Rene Porras, a Vietnam combat veteran and local business owner, shared his fears about the impact of these changes on the community’s voice, especially in the face of ongoing issues, including deportations.
“Everybody’s nervous,” Porras stated, referring to the heightened concern among residents.
As the owner of a local taqueria and Mexican bakery, he explained that business has sharply declined in recent weeks, a development he attributes to the fear and uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement.
Rita Robles, a dedicated community activist, emphasized the chilling effect that reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions have on local residents.
“When they started saying that ICE was going to be in the area — we’ve spotted them in certain areas where they’re huddling together, before they go do a raid, and that has scared the hell out of the people here,” Robles noted.
Currently, Denver Harbor falls under Texas’ 29th Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat who has held the position for nearly a decade.
However, under the proposed redistricting plan, much of eastern Houston, including Denver Harbor, would be removed from this district and merged into the new 9th Congressional District, which consists primarily of suburban areas that lean Republican.
Porras voiced his anger over the redistricting initiative inspired by Trump.
“Since Trump’s proposed this, he’s so unpopular around here, it’s incredible.
Everything from cutting services and Medicaid, all the things he didn’t mention during the election, or said he’s not going to cut, that’s exactly what he’s doing,” Porras reported.
Robles has raised critical concerns not just about political representation, but also about the environmental and health impacts of the proposed redistricting.
Living just a few miles from the Houston Ship Channel, Denver Harbor faces significant challenges related to air pollution.
“We have a very big problem with air pollution,” Robles explained.
Health issues such as asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases are prevalent among residents, who often struggle to cope with poor air quality.
Robles, who herself suffers from asthma, shared her personal challenges, describing days when the air quality makes it hard to even step outside.
Economic disparities are also a matter of concern, with residents of Denver Harbor earning significantly less than those in the proposed new district.
Robles expressed this disparity, stating that while her neighbors may make around $50,000 to six figures, her community grapples with economic challenges that are not faced by their potential new counterparts.
An analysis conducted by the Texas Legislative Council indicates that, despite the demographic majority being Hispanic in the proposed new 9th Congressional District, it is likely to lean Republican in future elections.
Republican officials defend the redistricting proposal, claiming that it accurately reflects demographic changes in Harris County.
Cindy Siegel, chair of the Harris County Republican Party, expressed that while the new maps may not align with Democratic preferences, they underscore a shift in Hispanic voting patterns observed in recent elections.
Siegel remarked, “They know that there has been a shift in the last election that the Hispanic community, more Hispanic voters, in fact, supported President Trump, voted for him.”
Acknowledging the partisan nature of the redistricting plan, Siegel stated that it is justified, considering past behaviors by Democrats in similar situations.
She referred to a historical instance when Democrats, possessing a majority on the Harris County Commissioners Court, enacted a local redistricting plan that disproportionately favored their party.
Texas House Majority Leader Tom Oliverson further reinforced the notion of partisan redistricting, indicating that it is a common practice across many states, particularly those controlled by Democrats.
Oliverson asserted, “There are many, many states where redistricting for partisan performance has been a way of life for 20, 30 years.”
However, critics warn that political maneuvering in redistricting can border on racial gerrymandering, which violates the Voting Rights Act.
Michael O. Adams, a political science professor at Texas Southern University, cautioned against the superficial representation of the Hispanic majority in the proposed district while highlighting its deceptive nature regarding voter behavior.
Adams remarked, “What we’re witnessing in this redistricting proposal is what I would call a master class in demographic manipulation.”
Porras echoed the concerns shared by many in his community, expressing a desire for equitable representation.
He articulated a sense of frustration but also a longing for strategic responses, suggesting that if Texas engages in partisan gerrymandering, then other states should equally alter their maps to favor Democratic representation.
“This has got to be stopped,” Porras asserted.
He expressed a willingness to support similar efforts in states like California, Massachusetts, and Illinois if Texas forges ahead with its redistricting plan, emphasizing a need for balance in political representation across the country.
image source from：houstonpublicmedia
