Texas Dems know they can’t block map forever. So what’s next?
Texas Democrats who fled the state to block the approval of a new congressional map say they will soon release their demands for an inevitable second special legislative session. The lawmakers could return to Texas from Illinois as early as this weekend.
Republicans in the legislature are expected to end the current legislative session on Friday. Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, is expected to immediately call for another.
“It would be naive to think that somehow we were going to stop the passing of the maps in Texas,” Democratic state Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez told Straight Arrow News. “What was most important to us was making sure that we got out and spread the word and had other states get in this fight with us.”
Hernandez is one of the more than 50 Democratic representatives who left the Lone Star State for Illinois, New York and Massachusetts to deny the legislature a quorum, which is the minimum number of members needed to conduct official business. She would not say directly whether the Democrats would break quorum again, but she insinuated that they will likely remain in Texas and let the session move forward.
“We feel very confident that at least what we were hoping to accomplish — which was the buy-in from other states, to be able to dilute whatever Texas potentially could put out was our number one priority,” Hernandez said.
What other states have redistricting plans?
California Democrats are now moving forward with a plan to draw a new map that will cut five Republican seats. Because California law requires a commission to draw the map and prohibits legislators from doing so, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, will ask voters to approve it in a special election on Nov. 4.
“We’re glad that other states are now in the position to essentially take the baton whenever we’re ready to pass it on to them,” Hernandez said. “But we will not give up this fight.”
Hernandez said being in Illinois gave Democrats’ legal counsel time to develop a strategy for challenging the new Texas map in court once it’s approved.
She said it has been a sacrifice for members to be in Illinois, away from their families and regular jobs. They have received bomb threats and death threats, been doxed and members of their families have faced intimidation.
“Essentially everyday there’s something else that’s lodged against us. Or some type of rhetoric, or threats, or fines being levied against us. So I can tell you certainly this has not been an easy process for any of us,” Hernandez said.
On Wednesday afternoon, an Illinois judge said the circuit court doesn’t have the authority to require the state’s law enforcement officers to enforce arrest warrants against the lawmakers. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the lawsuit after the Texas legislature issued civil warrants for the lawmakers, calling for them to be arrested and returned to the state capital.
The ruling did not surprise Hernandez.
“Us in the legal field have a saying that you’ve been bench slapped by the court. And that was essentially what this court did to Ken Paxton and that he was essentially stepping out of his lane,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez also explained that the Texas House Democratic Caucus is covering some travel expenses using money it collects from member dues.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking a court to put former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke in jail for fundraising for the Democratic delegation. O’Rourke is the founder of Powered by People and has actively sought donations. A judge ordered O’Rourke and his organization to stop soliciting for the Democrats in Illinois.
A day later, O’Rourke stated, “There are no refs in this game. F— the rules.”
Hernandez said she has not received any funds from O’Rourke’s group and plans on using her own money to pay fines for failing to appear at the session.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
