Congressman Doggett, Austin civil rights group oppose redistricting plan that includes changes for Burnet County

AUSTIN — A plan to create a new congressional district could put Burnet County, a traditional Republican stronghold, into the hands of a veteran Democrat campaigner — U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett.

But many critics including Doggett are crying foul, saying the new boundaries disenfranchise minority voters.

This effort to draw a new map for Texas congressional districts by state lawmakers is no different from previous redistricting — threats of lawsuits are already piling up.

“This map violates the Voting Rights Act and represents little more than another Republican slap at Hispanics,” the Austin-based Doggett said earlier this week.

Based on the 2010 U.S. census, part of the redistricting map calls for Burnet, Blanco, Lampasas and large sections of western Hays and Travis counties to move into District 25, which Doggett represents.