Amarillo may become part of a massive Texas Senate district as a result of redistricting, according to redistricting plans filed by legislators for the 2022 election cycle.

Under a plan submitted by legislators for redistricting in the Texas Senate, Texas Senate District 31, which presently includes most of the Panhandle and part of the Permian Basin region, including Midland and Odessa, would be extended as far south as Kimble County, home of Junction, a small town that sits about 115 miles northwest of San Antonio and 150 miles west of Austin. This would move the district’s current southernmost point about 187 miles southeast.

As a result of the added counties, Gray, Wheeler, Donley, Collinsworth, and Hall counties in the Panhandle would be removed from District 31 and placed in District 28, which is home to Lubbock Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock).

The expansion of the district would come as longtime Republican Sen. Kel Seliger faces re-election in 2022. The district would still be solidly Republican, but would see an influx of new voters thanks to the counties added to the district from District 28.

Seliger has not stated whether he will seek re-election in 2022. Two Republicans have already thrown their hats into the ring for the seats — Midland businessman Kevin Sparks and Coahoma ISD Trustee Stormy Bradley. Under the change in the district’s size, Seliger, Sparks, and Bradley would all still be eligible to run for the seat as residents of the district.

Redistricting is expected to be finalized during the upcoming legislative special session. Candidates have until December to announce their candidacies for the 2022 election cycle.