Texas Democrat denies accepting funds to flee state
One of the Texas Democrats who fled to Illinois to block a vote on a new congressional map said she has not accepted money to fund her stay in Chicago. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott claimed some of the lawmakers may have solicited or accepted funds to pay for their stay, which he said could constitute bribery.
“Each one of us individually understands that this is our own financial responsibility. We have accepted that. We are going to pay those fines legally, pursuant to what the rules that were put in place from the last quorum break,” state Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez, D-Farmers Branch, told Straight Arrow News.
Hernandez and more than 50 other Democrats in Illinois face a fine of $500 per day for not attending the special legislative session that started July 21. Abbott called the session for a mid-decade redistricting in an effort to win five new Republican seats in the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections.
Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate possible public corruption charges. Hernandez denied the accusation.
“We weren’t promised, we didn’t enter a contract. Nobody said, ‘Hey, I’m going to give you this money and pay for all of these things if you quorum break,’” Hernandez said. “This was a decision that we made that it was the right thing to do.”
Hernandez said a number of individuals who support their cause have made campaign contributions since they arrived in Illinois, but nothing was given with any conditions.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced the morning of Thursday, Aug. 7, that the FBI agreed to help Texas law enforcement locate the lawmakers. The governor and legislature issued civil arrest warrants, authorizing Texas law enforcement to bring the representatives to the state Capitol.
“We cannot allow these rogue legislators to avoid their constitutional responsibilities,” Cornyn said.
Hernandez said she has been briefed on how to handle the situation and is in contact with legal counsel. She could not disclose specifics due to security concerns.
“I certainly believe, as well as all of our other members, as well as the governor, that we are safe in this state from any overreach from Texas in regards to taking us and moving us back to the state of Texas,” Hernandez said. “So obviously, if we decide on our own free will to go back to the state, we are able to do that. But we have no intentions on leaving.”
Hernandez also responded to accusations from the governor and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that the lawmakers may be abandoning their offices, and therefore, should have their seats vacated.
Hernandez said she is still actively working and holding meetings with constituents and staff. She described her time in Chicago as “business as usual.” She said if she failed her constituents, the proper way to remove her from office is to vote her out.
“Whether they believe that me quorum breaking was me going against my oath and also my duty to them as their elected official, well, there’s a mechanism for that, and that’s not reelecting me,” Hernandez said.
A lawsuit was filed to remove Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu. He is going to respond in court through attorneys.
Hernandez said it has been a big sacrifice being in Illinois. She is away from family and missing work. The group has also been subject to threats that have extended to immediate family members, and she also missed celebrating her anniversary with her husband on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
