Texas Democrats who fled the state as Republicans look to redraw the Lone Star State’s congressional lines pushed back on the GOP efforts during a press conference Tuesday morning.
The press conference, where the Democrats were joined by Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin and Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL), comes on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act to fight against the attempted redistricting taking place during a Texas special session. The special session is also being used to address the fatal floods in the state last month.
“The state of Illinois is proud to stand side by side with these brave, Texas Democrat heroes in the battle to save our democracy,” Pritzker said at the press conference.
Pritzker was joined by Martin, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D-IL), Reps. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Julie Johnson (D-TX), and Al Green (D-TX), Texas state Rep. Barbara Gervin-Haskins, and Illinois Democratic Party Chairwoman Lisa Hernandez.
“We’re here in Illinois, correct, and we plan to stay as long as it takes,” Texas state Rep. Lulu Flores said on CNN. “You’ve just heard that the special session lasts until August 19. That’s the very least time that we expect to be out here.”
The members of the Texas state House joined this event after Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) directed the arrests of Democrats who fled the state to delay or halt the Republican redistricting attempt.
“Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans,” Abbott said in a statement. “By fleeing the state, Texas House Democrats are holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief. There are consequences for dereliction of duty.”
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Pritzker and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) met with Texas Democrats late last month, helping to lead the charge in pushing back on the Republican effort.
The state legislature began redrawing the state’s congressional districts last week, as part of an effort backed by the Trump administration. The redistricting effort would create 30 Republican congressional seats, compared to just eight Democratic districts, a five-seat boost for the GOP from its current 25-13 advantage.