'Not based on law': Texas GOP's 'critical' admission about redistricting stuns expert

An elections expert said on Sunday that the Texas Republican Party made a "critical" admission about their redistricting efforts, which could cause their efforts to backfire.

For the last month, the Texas GOP has tried to pass a new election map that would eliminate five Democrat-controlled seats. Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session in July following the devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country to pass the maps. State Democrats fled to Illinois and prevent the legislature from having a quorum.

National Democratic Redistricting Committee President John Bisognano joined Ben Mieselas on the MiedasTouch Network to discuss the Texas GOP's redistricting efforts.

"Gov. Abbott continuously cites this letter from the Justice Department that is based not on law, but on Donald Trump's interests," Bisognano said. "It seems like Trump sat around in one of the rooms in the White House and said, 'Hey, Gov. Abbott needs to redraw those maps and get me five additional seats so we can hold the House [of Representatives."'

"None of the letter is based in fact or law," he continued.

In July, the Department of Justice sent Abbott a letter saying his map was out of compliance with federal election law because some of the districts were drawn based on race. The letter contradicted sworn testimony from state Republicans who said they did not use race to draw the maps.

Federal law prohibits the use of race to draw Congressional maps.

Now, Texas Republicans appear to be admitting that they are using race to draw the new maps, which Bisognano described as "critical" from a litigation perspective.

"Gov. Abbot very specifically cites race as the reason for his redraw," Bisognano said. "He said that was the most important thing. From his perspective, he's giving Latinos the opportunity to vote, which makes absolutely no sense when you look at the maps."

"It's critical, from a litigation perspective, to remember that they are saying this is about race," he added. "They are using race as the predominant factor, and I think we should all remember that in the future."

Watch the entire interview below or by clicking here.