Two Texas House districts that include portions of Amarillo could be getting a little bigger — at the expense of another Panhandle district.
According to redistricting proposal maps filed by legislators this week, legislators are proposing that House Districts 86 and 87 gain new constituents for the 2023 legislative session. Under the proposal released on Thursday, District 86 — represented by Republican Rep. John Smithee of Amarillo — would see a slight increase in size. Under the proposed redistricting plan, District 86 would pick up Armstrong county, adding to its current footprint that already includes Dallam, Hartley, Oldham, Parmer, Deaf Smith, and Randall counties.
Meanwhile, House District 87 — which is represented by Republican Rep. Four Price of Amarillo — would also expand from its current footprint to pick up Hansford, Ochiltree, and Lipscomb counties. The district currently includes Sherman, Moore, Hutchinson, Potter, and Carson counties.
The expansions of both districts would come at the expense of District 88, a Panhandle district currently represented by Republican Rep. Ken King of Canadian. While District 88 would lose these counties, it would also be set to expand its footprint, picking up Wheeler, Collinsworth, Hall, Childress, Gaines, and Andrews counties.
Redistricting is being considered as part of the ongoing special legislative session. Voters in whatever final districts are approved will select their new representatives in next year’s election.