Greg Casar

His announcement comes after fellow Democrat Lloyd Doggett said he would not run for reelection if the redrawn map is upheld, avoiding a showdown over the new District 37 seat.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Doggett said he would, “prefer to devote the coming months to fighting Trump tyranny and serving Austin rather than waging a struggle with fellow Democrats.”

About 5,000 people gathered at the Capitol on Saturday to protest President Trump and the Texas Legislature’s plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts to give Republicans more seats in the U.S. House.

Casar said the proposed congressional map was drawn by Trump's administration and threatens "millions of Texans' voting rights."

Under the proposed map, only one solidly Democratic district will remain, and more people living in areas surrounding Austin will be represented by Republicans.

The money would have gone to help finish the Waterloo Greenway and to projects that help domestic violence survivors and people transitioning out of homelessness.

The former Austin City Council member's Connect the Grid Act would mandate that ERCOT create new interconnections with neighboring power grids.

The new congressman said he wants to look for ways to "do good work for the American people, regardless of party affiliation."

Texas' 35th Congressional District is a Democratic stronghold, meaning Casar will likely easily win the general election in November.

Vela beat out six competitors Tuesday in a special election to replace Greg Casar, who is leaving the seat to run for Congress.