Lloyd Doggett

Rep. Llyod Doggett (D-TX) announced on Friday that he will not be seeking re-election next year in light of the Supreme Court ruling that the Texas GOP’s newly redrawn Congressional map created in favor of Republicans will go into effect.

“I will continue working with the same urgency and determination as if next year were my last, which in public office it will be,” Doggett said in a Friday press release.

“After that, I will seek new ways to join my neighbors in making a difference in the only town I have ever called home.”

At the behest of President Donald Trump, Texas Republicans drew up a new Congressional map which created five new districts favoring Republicans. The move caused dozens of Democratic state lawmakers to flee the state in August in an effort to prevent the state legislature from voting on the new map to go into effect. Facing pressure from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the Democratic lawmakers returned, allowing for the Republicans to pass the new map, prompting a legal challenge by Democrats.

In November, two federal judges blocked Texas from using the map, ruling that there was evidence of racial gerrymandering in the redrawn lines. Following the federal judge’s decision, the Supreme Court issued an administrative stay on the case. The Supreme Court granted Abbott’s emergency application on Thursday, canceling the lower court’s ruling.

Doggett, who has been in Congress for more than 30 years, previously stated he would not be seeking re–election if the newly redrawn map were to go into effect.

Doggett’s district was among the five Democrat held districts being targeted by the new map. Other Democrats targeted include Reps. Marc Veasey (D-TX), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Al Green (D-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX).