Although it was challenged and even temporarily blocked ever since it was passed by the state legislature, a new redistricting map drawn up in Texas is nothing short of a game-changer for Republicans, and Democrats are already panicking.

Part of that panic comes as Justice Samuel Alito reversed a lower court's block on the redrawn map, sending shockwaves through the Dem Party. It's so impactful that, according to The Hill, one Democrat said her district is "not viable" if the new map stays in effect. 

It was Rep. Julie Johnson, a Texas Democrat, who sounded the alarm for both herself and her party after Justice Alito made the bombshell reversal.

The newly drawn maps essentially give Republicans a potential five-seat boost in Congress, assuming the maps are made permanent and no longer are being litigated. That would be massive for the upcoming midterms.

What's going on?

Rep. Johnson held nothing back when she made clear what she believes will happen to her district should the maps stick.

"If these new, very partisan, racially based, gerrymandered maps go forward, that makes the 32nd Congressional District — it swings it 46 points, it doesn’t really make it a viable seat," she said during a weekend interview.

The map's future is still in the works, as Alito gave those opposed to the map until today to submit a response.

The Hill noted:

On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito temporarily put back in place a congressional map from Texas that creates five GOP pickup chances until the nation’s highest court decides on the Lone Star State’s emergency appeal.

Earlier this month, a group of federal judges shut the map down, at least temporarily, ruling that it couldn't be used for the upcoming midterm elections because they proclaimed it to be "racial gerrymander."

It was only after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to bring the map back into play that it once again became a real fear for Democrats.

What's ahead?

California Dems are doing their best to give the party the most possible advantage in the upcoming election, and other states are positioning as well.

Given the results of the most recent election, it's not a stretch and not disingenuous to suggest that Republicans will need all of the insurance they can get in the way of favorable redistricting, even in reliable states.

Party leaders on both sides know that, and the 2026 midterms are shaping up to be an absolute bloodbath one way or the other.

Only time will tell if Texas Republicans get their new map finalized. They'd better hope so, as it could be the golden key to keeping the state red next year.