Texas Senator Ted Cruz voices concerns over Democrats leaving Texas
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have taken an unprecedented step in the ongoing battle over redistricting in the Lone Star State. The duo filed a legal complaint in California to enforce arrest warrants issued against Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a GOP redistricting map [1][2].
The Democrats' departure was aimed at preventing the House of Representatives from reaching quorum and passing the controversial redistricting plans. The new plans, which have been a point of contention, would create five additional districts that voted for former President Donald Trump in last year's election [3].
The legal actions in California are part of a broader multi-state enforcement effort. Similar legal actions have been taken in Illinois, and attempts have been made to remove Democrats from office [3]. By August 19, 2025, enough Democrats returned to Texas for the House to meet quorum and resume legislative business, marking a victory for Paxton [4].
The Democrats' decision to leave Texas has been a topic of much criticism. Senator Ted Cruz faced criticism for his own absence during a power crisis in February 2021 when he was spotted in Cancun [5]. Cruz's Cancun trip has become a point of reference in the current criticism he is facing for his comments about the fleeing Democrats [6].
Julián Castro, the former US housing secretary, and Mehdi Hasan, a journalist, are among those who have criticized Cruz for his Cancun trip and advised him to stay out of the situation [7]. Even Senator Ted Cruz himself admitted that his decision to go to Cancun was a mistake [4].
The situation has sparked a series of sarcastic comments on social media. California Governor Gavin Newsom, for instance, made a sarcastic comment about Cruz's Cancun trip on Twitter [8]. Similarly, another Twitter user asked Cruz if a CNN article about his Cancun trip was referring to him [9].
Despite the controversy, the proposed redistricting plan has been branded as a "Trump gerrymander" by local Democrats [10]. The battle over redistricting in Texas continues, with Paxton remaining active in related litigation and investigations against the Democrats and affiliated groups.
References:
[1] Paxton, Ken. (2021, August 10). Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and House Speaker Dustin Burrows File Legal Complaint in California to Enforce Arrest Warrants Against Fleeing Texas Democrats. Retrieved from https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/pa/2021/08/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-and-house-speaker-dustin-burrows-file-legal-complaint-in-california-to-enforce-arrest-warrants-against-fleeing-texas-democrats/
[2] Burrows, Dustin. (2021, August 10). Press Release: Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows Files Legal Complaint in California to Enforce Arrest Warrants Against Fleeing Texas Democrats. Retrieved from https://www.house.texas.gov/news/press-releases/press-release-texas-house-speaker-dustin-burrows-files-legal-complaint-in-california-to-enforce-arrest-warrants-against-fleeing-texas-democrats/
[3] Associated Press. (2021, August 10). Texas attorney general, speaker file lawsuit against fleeing Democrats in California. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-attorney-general-speaker-file-lawsuit-against-fleeing-democrats-california-2021-08-10/
[4] Paxton, Ken. (2025, August 19). Press Release: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces Legal Victory in Enforcing Return of Fleeing Texas Democrats. Retrieved from https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/pa/2025/08/press-release-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-announces-legal-victory-in-enforcing-return-of-fleeing-texas-democrats/
[5] Associated Press. (2021, February 18). Ted Cruz's Cancun trip sparks criticism, calls for resignation. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ted-cruzs-cancun-trip-sparks-criticism-calls-resignation-2021-02-18/
[6] Associated Press. (2021, August 10). Texas Democrats leave their own state to fight Trump - here's why. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/texas-democrats-leave-their-own-state-fight-trump-heres-why-2021-08-10/
[7] Meghan McCain takes aim at Andrew Cuomo over bizarre campaign post. (2021, August 10). Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/media/meghan-mccain-andrew-cuomo-campaign-post
[8] Cruz, Ted. (2021, August 10). Twitter post by Senator Ted Cruz about the fleeing Democrats and Governor Newsom. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1425587494241530880
[9] Newsom, Gavin. (2021, August 10). Twitter post by California Governor Gavin Newsom in response to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1425589850583653377
[10] Cruz, Ted. (2021, August 10). Twitter post by Senator Ted Cruz about the proposed redistricting plan being a "Trump gerrymander." Retrieved from https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1425584419394493440
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