democrats

Abbott Says Fight Over Redistricting “Could Literally Last Years” as Democrats Remain Out of State

Governor Greg Abbott (R) defended his decision to pursue the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block Republican redistricting efforts, warning that the political standoff over Texas’s congressional maps “could literally last years.”

In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Abbott reiterated that he will continue calling 30-day special legislative sessions until the GOP-controlled Legislature can move forward with its redistricting agenda.

“As soon as this one is over, I’m going to call another one, then another one, then another one, then another one,” Abbott said.

Dozens of Texas House Democrats have left the state, many traveling to Illinois and other Democratic states, to break quorum in the House and stall the passage of the GOP's proposed congressional map. Their absence prevents the chamber from conducting official legislative business.

The governor confirmed that Democrats who return to Texas will be subject to arrest and compelled to return to the Capitol.

“If they want to evade that arrest, they’re going to have to stay outside of the state of Texas for literally years,” Abbott said. “They might as well just start voting in California or voting in Illinois, wherever they may be.”

At the center of the standoff is the Republicans’ push to redraw U.S. House districts in a way that would strengthen GOP influence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Although redistricting typically occurs once a decade following the census, Republicans, including President Donald Trump, are encouraging aggressive legal and legislative efforts to shift maps in their favor sooner.

Democrats have vowed to counter Republican gerrymandering efforts in blue states where they control legislatures, but their reach is limited by fewer such states and existing court rulings.

The standoff has become one of the most prominent state-level showdowns in the national fight over redistricting with no clear end in sight.

Raeylee Barefield

Raeylee Barefield is a student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a degree in Government. She enjoys reading, writing, and cooking in her spare time.

Recent Posts

Wesley Hunt Says Texas Senate Race Should Be About the People, Not Political Feuds

U.S. Congressman Wesley Hunt is calling for a generational shift in leadership as speculation builds…

10 minutes ago

LONESTAR — 10.13.2025 — Republicans Want Closed GOP Primaries — Cruz Praises Trump's Israel/Hamas Peace Deal — and More...

Ken Paxton and Texas GOP Move to Close Republican Primaries Attorney General Ken Paxton has…

39 minutes ago

Texas Longhorns' Michael Taaffe Launches Campaign to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

Michael Taaffe, the defensive back for the Texas Longhorns, has officially launched the "Tackle Fentanyl"…

3 days ago

Ted Cruz Praises Trump's Israel/Hamas Peace Agreement

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R) has commended President Donald Trump following the announcement of a…

3 days ago

Wesley Hunt Backs Closed Republican Primaries

As Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) moves to ensure that Republican primaries are closed, Rep.…

3 days ago

John Cornyn Urges FDA to Reconsider Generic Abortion Pill Approval

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R), joined by fellow Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R), has signed…

3 days ago