U.S. Rep. August Pfluger’s District 11, which includes Ector and Midland counties, will look a lot different if the Texas Legislature’s new congressional redistricting map survives U.S Department of Justice scrutiny and Democrats’ court challenges.
The map carves off 11 counties, including Andrews and Dawson, and adds Lampasas and part of Bell to trim the district from 29 counties to 20 and make it more compact and much less east-west running.
“I will continue to fight for energy, agriculture, a strong military and our heroic veterans no matter the district boundaries,” Pfluger said from Washington. “I will always be true to my oath to the Constitution and this district I call home.
“Unfortunately, the reality of population growth in the urban areas of Texas made it impossible for the 11th Congressional District to remain identical to its current composition,” the San Angelo Republican said. “The changes the state legislature enacted go into effect in 2023. Until then, my commitment to serve all 29 counties currently in the district remains steadfast.”
Results from the 2020 Census bumped the number of Texas’ congressional districts from 36 to 38 with each congressman still representing about 750,000 people. Along with Andrews and Dawson, where Lamesa is the county seat, Pfluger is losing Callahan, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Hood, Martin, Mitchell, Palo Pinto and Stephens counties with Andrews, Dawson and Mitchell going into Lubbock Rep. Jodey Arrington’s 19th District and the others joining Austin Rep. Roger Williams’ 25th District.
Besides Ector and Midland counties, the congressman retains Brown, Coke, Coleman, Concho, Glasscock, Irion, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills, Runnels, San Saba and Sterling counties and his home county of Tom Green.
Ector County Republican Chairman Tisha Crow said that while Pfluger regrets losing his old counties, the new alignment will make it easier for him to visit and campaign. “He had a huge district and this will make it more manageable,” Crow said.
“It’s not spread out 400 miles to the east, which is good for Odessa in a lot of ways, and still having Llano, Mason, McCulloch and San Saba, he can hold big events right in the center of those four counties that cover all four.”
Crow said 11’s political makeup won’t be altered. “It will not change the conservative bent of the district at all and it might help Districts 19 and 25,” she said.
Ector County Democratic Chairman Hannah Horick said the addition of Bell County north of Fort Hood “is exciting because 11 will no longer be one of the reddest congressional districts in the country.
“There are a lot of Black voters in Bell County and the new map will increase the number of Democrats in District 11 from 18 to 28 percent. “But it’s a little disheartening to lose places like Andrews because they have a lot more in common with the 11th than they do with the 19th or 25th.”
