Texas Attorney General and Governor Initiate Move to oust Democrat Legislators from Office
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit in the Texas Supreme Court, seeking to remove 13 Democratic state House members from office for their continued absence, which he claims constitutes "abandonment of office." The lawmakers left the state to break quorum and block a vote on a Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan [1][2][3].
The 13 targeted Democrats include Gene Wu, Ron Reynolds, Vikki Goodwin, Gina Hinojosa, James Talarico, Lulu Flores, Mihaela Plesa, Suleman Lalani, Chris Turner, Ana-Maria Ramos, Jessica Gonzalez, John Bucy III, and Christina Morales [2][3].
This lawsuit escalates a dispute already complicated by a similar lawsuit filed by Governor Greg Abbott targeting one Democratic leader, Rep. Gene Wu, which Paxton has expanded to include a dozen more lawmakers. There is ongoing tension between Paxton and Abbott over who has the authority to bring such suits, but both want these Democrats expelled to allow the legislature to proceed with the redistricting effort [3][4].
Paxton's office alleges that members of the Legislature who disregard arrest warrants, refuse to perform their duties, and prevent the Legislature from exercising its constitutional responsibilities have demonstrated an intent to relinquish and abandon their offices [2].
John Bucy III, a defendant in the lawsuit, stated that Texas Republicans are desperate [5]. Some of the defendants have characterized the round of filings as indicative of desperation [5]. Chris Talarico, another defendant, took an aggressive approach on social media, openly taunting his conservative rivals [2].
Democrats claim the proposed changes were intentionally and specifically designed to ensure that Republicans retain their stranglehold on state-level politics [4]. Bucy accused Texas Republicans of cheating and attempting to steal an election [4].
In a separate lawsuit, Paxton's office alleges bribery against former Congressman Beto O’Rourke, accusing him of illegally helping Democrats fundraise to support the quorum break [2]. O’Rourke responded by suing Paxton in state court [2].
The Texas Supreme Court has provided the lawmakers involved, including Wu, a deadline to respond to these legal actions. The court’s decisions will determine whether the lawmakers lose their seats for participating in this quorum break, which was intended to prevent the redistricting vote [3][4][5].
The changes proposed by the conservative-dominated legislature, as claimed by Democrats, heavily favor conservative candidates [4]. Gene Wu, a defendant in both lawsuits, said that the Texas Supreme Court should know better and that only a two-thirds vote by the House carries the necessary legal authority to unseat elected representatives under state law [2].
[1] Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Remove 13 Democratic State Lawmakers [2] Paxton Expands Lawsuit Against Texas Democrats to Include a Dozen More Lawmakers [3] Texas Governor and Attorney General at Odds Over Quorum-Break Lawsuits [4] Democrats Accuse Texas Republicans of Cheating in Redistricting Effort [5] Texas Democrats Respond to Lawsuits, Call for Fair Elections
- The ongoing dispute between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott over policy-and-legislation, particularly the congressional redistricting plan, has escalated, with Paxton filing a lawsuit to remove 13 Democratic state House members for their absences and continued participation in war-and-conflicts that aim to block the redistricting vote.
- In the midst of politics, General-news, and policy-and-legislation, Democrats have accused Texas Republicans of intentionally designing the proposed redistricting changes to maintain their control over state-level politics, arguing that such changes amount to cheating and an attempt to steal an election.
