Texas's 26th congressional district

History

The district was created as a result of the redistricting cycle after the 1980 census, due to the population growth in Texas and Denton County, specifically in its southern sector. Since its creation, the district has been based in Denton County, one of Texas' fastest-growing counties.

Democrat Tom Vandergriff was the first person to represent the district, winning in 1982. Vandergriff narrowly lost to Republican Dick Armey in 1984, and the seat has continuously been held by Republicans ever since. Indeed, since Vandergriff's defeat in 1984, no Democrat has crossed the 40 percent mark. As Denton County has become overwhelmingly Republican in recent years (all but one county officeholder is Republican, as are all members of the Texas Legislature representing the county), the 26th district is considered a "safe seat" for the GOP.

Since the 2010 redistricting, the 26th district has included most of Denton County (except the southeast portion) and a portion of north central Tarrant County.

However, the district has been trending Democratic in recent years. Donald Trump carried it by 14 points in 2020, while Mitt Romney had carried it by 37 in 2012.

After the 2020 census, rapid growth resulted in significant changes in the composition of the district. For the first time since the district's creation, the City of Denton, the county seat of Denton County, will not be entirely located in the district. Instead, all but a sliver of the city was shifted to the heavily Republican Panhandle-based 13th district. The 26th also lost its small share of Frisco. To make up for the loss of population, portions of Wise County and all of Cooke County were drawn into the district. Lewisville will become the largest city entirely in the district.

Denton had become increasingly friendly to Democrats in recent years, and voting trends suggested that under the previous map, the 26th could have potentially become competitive. The redrawn 26th, on the other hand, is considered slightly more Republican than its predecessor.

Recent election results from statewide races

2023–2027 boundaries

2027–2033 boundaries

Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:

Cooke County (9)

: All 9 communities

Denton County (46)

: Argyle, Aubrey, Bartonville, Carrollton (part; also 24th, 32nd, and 33rd; shared with Dallas County), Celina (part; also 4th; shared with Collin County), The Colony, Coppell (part; also 24th; shared with Dallas County), Copper Canyon, Corral City, Corinth, Cross Roads, Denton (part; also 13th), DISH, Double Oak, Flower Mound (part; also 24th; shared with Tarrant County), Fort Worth (part; also 12th, 24th, 25th, and 33rd; shared with Johnson, Parker, Tarrant, and Wise counties), Frisco (part; also 3rd and 4th; shared with Collin County), Grapevine (part; also 24th; shared with Dallas and Tarrant counties), Hackberry, Haslet (part; also 12th; shared with Tarrant County), Hebron (part; also 4th; shared with Collin County), Hickory Creek, Highland Village, Justin, Krugerville, Lake Dallas, Lakewood Village, Lewisville (part; also 24th; shared with Dallas County), Lantana, Little Elm, Northlake, Oak Point, Paloma Creek, Paloma Creek South, Pilot Point, Plano (part; also 3rd, 4th, and 32nd; shared with Collin County), Ponder, Prosper (part; also 4th; shared with Collin County), Providence Village, Roanoke (part; also 24th; shared with Tarrant County), Sanger, Savannah, Shady Shores, Southlake (part; also 24th; shared with Tarrant County), Trophy Club (part; also 24th; shared with Tarrant County), Westlake (part; also 24th; shared with Tarrant County)

Tarrant County (2)

: Fort Worth (part; also 12th, 24th, 25th, and 33rd; shared with Denton, Johnson, Parker, and Wise counties), Haslet (part; also 12th; shared with Denton County)

Wise County (10)

: Aurora, Boyd, Briar (part; also 12th; shared with Tarrant County), Decatur (part; also 13th), Fort Worth (part; also 12th, 24th, 25th, and 33rd; shared with Denton, Johnson, Parker, and Tarrant counties), Newark, New Fairview (shared with Denton County), Paradise, Pecan Acres (part; also 12th; shared with Tarrant County), Rhome

List of members representing the district

Recent election results

2004 election

2006 election

2008 election

2010 election

2016 election

2018 election

2020 election

2022 election

2024 election

Historical district boundaries

References

• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present

References

1. "Congressional Districts Relationship Files (State-based)". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
2. "My Congressional District".
3. "My Congressional District".
4. (April 3, 2025). "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)".
5. (August 30, 2022). "Texas has new political maps. See which districts your home is in.". [[The Texas Tribune]].
6. (July 13, 2022). "Opinion {{pipe}} Gerrymander, U.S.A.". The New York Times.
7. "DRA 2020".
8. "DRA 2020".
9. [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST48/CD118_TX01.pdf https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST48/CD118_TX26.pdf]
10. (August 26, 2021). "District Population Analysis with County Subtotals {{!}} CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS - PLANC2100". Texas Legislative Council.
11. (October 17, 2021). "District Population Analysis with County Subtotals {{!}} CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS - PLANC2193". Texas Legislative Council.
12. "2020 November 3rd General Election, U.S. Representative District 26".
13. "Texas Election Night Results". Texas Department of State.
14. (November 5, 2024). "Texas 26th Congressional District Election Results". [[New York Times]].