Jeffries says GOP 'done eff'd up in Texas,' vows they won't win five seats: 'They can't ignore it'

Texas

Jeffries says GOP 'done eff'd up in Texas,' vows they won't win five seats: 'They can't ignore it'

House Minority Leader predicts GOP will struggle to win congressional seats after Democrat Taylor Rehmet flipped Fort Worth-area state senate district

Greg Wehner Fox News

Published

February 2, 2026 9:45pm EST

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Jeffries says GOP 'done eff’d up in Texas,' predicts Republicans will fall short

The House minority leader says Republicans overreached in Texas, won’t flip five seats and now face backlash they "can’t ignore" after recent results and Democratic pushback.

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Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries unloaded on Republicans Monday, saying they "done eff’d up in Texas," accusing the GOP of overreaching on redistricting and predicting they will fall well short of flipping five congressional seats.

During a news conference at the U.S. Capitol, Jeffries was asked about a recent Texas state senate race in which a Democrat flipped a seat in a district President Donald Trump carried in 2020. Jeffries was also pressed on whether Democrats could win four of the five redistricted congressional seats in Texas.

"Yes, Republicans done eff’d up in Texas, and they know it," Jeffries said. "We knew it months ago, and it’s because of a variety of reasons."

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed Republicans over Texas redistricting, predicting the GOP will struggle to flip seats ahead of 2026. (FOX News)

Jeffries argued Republicans were never positioned to gain five seats but instead created a scenario in which they attempted to take seats from Democrats, believing there would be no response.

"California responded decisively, and we will pick up five seats as a result of Prop. 50," he said, referring to a California ballot measure that reshaped redistricting rules and boosted Democratic chances in multiple congressional districts.

"It remains to be seen what happens in Texas, but I can guarantee you they won’t win five seats," Jeffries continued. "They’re going to struggle to win three based on 2024 performance alone."

DEMS SCORE BIG IN TYPICALLY RED TEXAS DISTRICT THAT TRUMP EASILY WON IN 2024

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking at an event.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a "Yes On Prop 50" volunteer event at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles. (Getty Images)

Democrats scored another win Saturday when Taylor Rehmet captured a Texas state senate seat in a district long dominated by Republicans. Rehmet, a labor union leader and Air Force veteran, defeated Republican Leigh Wambsganss in the Fort Worth-area district.

Jeffries praised Rehmet’s campaign, calling the victory decisive.

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Sen. Phil King, T-Texas, displays a map during a Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting public testimony hearing on Aug. 7, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

"It was a shellacking for Republicans in Texas that even caught Ron DeSantis’ attention," Jeffries said. "They can’t ignore it. Republicans have been losing elections, and Democrats have been winning elections since January of last year."

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Republican Party of Texas for comment.

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The Texas redistricting fight is part of a broader national battle for control of the House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with similar clashes unfolding in Virginia, North Carolina and California as both parties jockey for seats that could ultimately determine the majority.

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.

Jeffries says GOP 'done eff'd up in Texas,' vows they won't win five seats: 'They can't ignore it'