Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) is blasting Texas Republicans over their latest redistricting plan — but critics say her outrage rings hollow given how her own seat was drawn.
The Massachusetts Democrat and member of the progressive “Squad” took to X on Wednesday, calling the GOP-backed Texas map “a cowardly, undemocratic power grab” aimed at silencing voters and “rigging” the 2026 midterms. “Solidarity with Texas Democrats using every tool to fight back,” she added.
What Republicans are doing in Texas is a cowardly, undemocratic power grab meant to silence voters.
They know their policies are deeply unpopular so they want to rig the next election.
Solidarity with Texas Democrats using every tool to fight back.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) August 5, 2025
Almost immediately, political commentators pointed out that Pressley’s district — shaped by a Democrat-controlled Massachusetts legislature — is itself a textbook example of gerrymandering. “The woman who represents this district wants you to know gerrymandering is a cowardly, undemocratic power grab,” wrote Gerry Callahan, sharing an image of her district’s irregular boundaries. Andrew Follett noted that despite Donald Trump earning 36% of the state’s vote in 2020, Republicans hold zero congressional seats in Massachusetts.
Pressley’s comments mirrored talking points also used by former President Barack Obama, who posted nearly identical language accusing Texas Republicans of trying to “unfairly win five seats” through redistricting.
The woman who represents this district wants you to know gerrymandering is a cowardly, undemocratic power grab. https://t.co/XChUXAXsqe pic.twitter.com/JkwayCdsqB
— Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) August 6, 2025
That repetition didn’t escape Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), who contrasted the Texas backlash with Illinois’ heavily Democrat-drawn map. “Dems only call it ‘gerrymandering’ when it’s in a Republican state,” Lee posted. “When it happens in Illinois, they call it ‘democracy.’”
The redistricting fight in Texas has escalated into a legislative standoff. Several Texas House Democrats fled to Illinois to break quorum and block a vote, echoing a 2021 walkout they staged over a Republican-backed voting bill. In response, Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have threatened legal action, warning they may ask a judge to declare the absent lawmakers’ seats vacant if they don’t return by Friday to finish the special session.
This is what your Congressional District looks like…it is obviously quite gerrymandered!
Trump got 36% of the Massachusetts vote…and Republicans got 0% of the seats! https://t.co/E9qLQXgj0c pic.twitter.com/UT8mF95hUF
— Andrew Follett (@AndrewCFollett) August 6, 2025
Abbott has previously signaled he’s willing to get tough on such tactics — during the 2021 walkout, he threatened to withhold lawmakers’ pay.
