U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas says he'll bow out if redistricting stands

Longtime Austin Democratic congressman Lloyd Doggett said Thursday that he won't seek reelection if a new congressional map is not overturned by courts.

Why it matters: Doggett's move prevents a potentially nasty Democratic primary in the wake of a Republican redistricting effort, allowing U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, a rising progressive, to remain in office.

State of play: Casar and Doggett would have battled for a single Austin-based district under the new congressional map that the Texas House approved on Wednesday and which the Senate is expected to pass soon. Gov. Greg Abbott has said he'll sign the legislation. • Doggett, who has been repeatedly targeted by Republicans in redistricting during his over 30 years in Congress, currently represents much of Austin and its suburbs.