On Friday, Republican Party of Texas Chairman Steve Munisteri released the following statement in response to the proposed interim maps handed down by a federal panel in San Antonio for the 2012 Elections in the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate.

"We are disappointed that the federal panel has crafted new proposed maps for the Texas Legislature. It remains our belief that the maps passed by the Texas Legislature under their constitutional authority were fair and legal, and that these changes were unnecessary. However, we will continue to move forward with our plans to vigorously defend and protect our Republican legislative gains, and are determined to pursue competitive elections across the entire state in 2012."