A nonprofit organization led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who served in the Obama administration, has set its sights on the Texas Supreme Court seats for the upcoming 2024 election. They have already claimed responsibility for successfully influencing the outcome of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election.
The National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), led by Holder, is actively focusing on state-level and down-ballot races in 11 states, Texas included, as part of its Democratic Party redistricting initiative.
According to the NDRC website, they have identified a set of key electoral priorities, focusing on state-level offices that play a crucial role in countering Republican gerrymandering. This initial round of elections will have a significant impact on the redistricting cycle in 2031. With the NDRC and its affiliates already established, there is a unique opportunity for a longer-term strategy to make a lasting difference.
The group is focusing its investments on key races that could have a significant impact on the 2031 redistricting process. This includes three Texas Supreme Court races, where incumbent Republicans are seeking reelection. The Texas Supreme Court serves as the highest court in the state for civil cases, and three seats are up for election in every general election.
In the upcoming elections, Republican incumbent justices Jimmy Blacklock, John Devine, and Jane Bland will face tough challenges from Democrats DaSean Jones, Christine Weems, and Bonnie Lee Goldstein, respectively.
According to the NDRC, State Supreme Courts possess the authority to assess and potentially invalidate redistricting plans that are deemed unjust or in violation of the constitution. The organization claims to have played a role in altering the balance of power within the Wisconsin Supreme Court by providing financial support and assistance to Democrat Janet Protasiewicz during her 2023 campaign for the court. This ultimately led to Democrats securing a majority on the court, which subsequently favored a Democratic redistricting case.
Multiple lawsuits were filed challenging the Texas Legislature’s 2021 redistricting law and the subsequent maps that were drawn. However, these lawsuits were dismissed by a district court before they could reach the Texas Supreme Court.
Holder criticized Republicans for their creation of “undemocratic” redistricting maps, asserting that their power relies on voter suppression and partisan and racial gerrymandering. In response, the NDRC is actively committed to combating this anti-democratic agenda through the ballot box, allocating substantial time and resources to this cause.
The Texas Ethics Commission reports that the NDRC seems to have a cash balance of $286,000. Most of its expenditures in the latter half of 2023 appear to have been allocated to its National Redistricting Action Fund.
Holder’s organization is focused on not only the Texas Supreme Court but also the state supreme courts of Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Ohio.
The organization is also directing its efforts towards state legislative seats in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In addition, they are focusing on the governor’s race in New Hampshire and an Ohio redistricting reform ballot initiative.
