KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsState lawmaker says Texas map forcing retirement

State lawmaker says Texas map forcing retirement

EDINBURG, Texas (AP) - A state lawmaker who switched to the Republican Party even though he's from the Democratic stronghold of South Texas says new federally drawn voting maps are forcing him to retire.

Rep. Aaron Pena of Edinburg said on his blog Friday that he can't win the district proposed under interim maps created by a three-judge panel following a ruling that struck down a redistricting plan passed by the Texas Legislature.

Democratic groups sued to have the maps thrown out, arguing the GOP-led plan illegally diluted minority voting strength.

Pena, a five-term representative who switched parties last year, said the original maps were designed to protect South Texas incumbents. He says the interim map puts him in a seat that's too strongly Democratic, and he doesn't want to challenge another incumbent.