Texas GOP Fills Vacancies in Legal Counsel Ahead of Redistricting
Former Attorney General Eric Holder left the Obama administration in mid-2015 vowing to battle redistricting efforts in swing states. A year later, Holder was in charge of the newly formed National Democratic Redistricting Committee dedicated to that effort. Texas was in the crosshairs.
The redistricting process, headed in committee by Republican Representative Phil King, is expected to take place in a special session of the Texas legislature in mid-2021. The districts targeted for a shakeup are still the subject of speculation, but whatever the result, the Democratic Party holds few options to stop the legislature.
The DNC’s goal of flipping Texas blue fell short with no net change in seats despite millions spent in campaigning. The Democrats failed to take control.
Anticipating a complex redistricting legal battle, Republican Party Chairman Allen West is filling officer vacancies. “We have two very strong legal minds,” West told HC.
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Susanna Dokupil, the former Assistant General Counsel to the Republican Party of Texas, will succeed Wade Emmert to become General Counsel. Dokupil is what some consider to be the gold standard for the legal battle ahead. She is well thought of in the legal community and regarded as an expert on constitutional matters. Her experience includes being the former Assistant Solicitor General for the Texas Attorney General’s office. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and an attorney of counsel at Seiler Mitby.
For Assistant General Counsel, West brought in Rachel Hooper, a former Deputy Chief at the Harris County District Attorney Office and veteran prosecutor of 12 years. She is a partner at the international law firm BakerHostetler.
The Republican Party of Texas appears to be well positioned to defend any challenges from the Democratic Party, and for everyday Texans the outlook remains positive. Where the GOP did lose ground, Chairman West assures the party is bringing the fight. Houston and Harris County are front and center for Republican efforts.
“Houston is the birthplace of the Republican Party of Texas,” said Col. West. “We will flip it back to being a strong base for the party and conservative values.”
