Texas Democrats say they’re prepared to come back to the Lone Star State, after being AWOL from Texas for almost two weeks. Their return is costly, and only if certain conditions are met. To that end, the party is currently suing to stop a new congressional map drawn by GOP lawmakers. This map would net the GOP five more seats.
The ongoing political battle has drawn national attention, particularly as Texas Democrats claim to have “successfully mobilized the nation against Trump’s assault on minority voting rights,” according to Gene Wu, the chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. He emphasized that Democrats are prepared to resume their fight in Texas, asserting that they will take their case to the courts if necessary.
Texas Democrats intend to return home once the state’s legislature concludes its first special session Friday. Republican leaders would like to wrap that session up early. Wu put it all in focus for the Democrats’ plan. Their return this time around is aimed at creating the best public and legislative record possible, setting the stage for potential legal challenges to the new proposed congressional map.
“Facing threats of arrest, lawfare, financial penalties, harassment, and bomb threats, we have stood firm in our fight against a proposed Jim Crow congressional district map.” – Gene Wu
The new Republican congressional map has spurred a challenge from Democrats, who claim it dilutes or packs minority representation unconstitutionally. Governor Greg Abbott has announced intentions to call another special session immediately following the likely adjournment of this one. We are grateful for his speedy response to these developments.
Further complicating the political landscape is a new congressional map set to be introduced in California, which would add five Democratic seats. This change would largely negate the gains seen from the Texas map for Republicans. As such, Texas Democrats’ comeback is linked not just to the local legislative reality but to the national electoral calculus too.