DALLAS () Republican lawmakers in Texas are advancing a controversial redistricting effort that could help the GOP gain seats in Washington, but Democrats are threatening a bold move of their own.
According to the Texas Tribune, Texas Democrats are actively fundraising to potentially leave the state in an effort to block the redistricting plan during a special legislative session ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Texas Dems face fines, arrest if they break quorum
If enough Democratic lawmakers leave the state, the legislature would lack the quorum needed to pass legislation. But the move comes with risks: each absent lawmaker would face a $500 daily fine and the threat of arrest.
In 2021, Democrats tried a similar tactic to block a GOP-backed election law. It ultimately failed, and Republicans later passed a rule forbidding lawmakers from using campaign funds to cover such penalties.
This time, however, deep-pocketed Democratic donors are reportedly willing to cover the expenses, and estimates suggest the protest could cost up to $1 million per month, according to the Tribune.
Rich Rubino, a political analyst and author, told that Democrats could pay a price beyond fines.
“Gov. Abbott and the Republicans in the state legislature will say that Democrats have abandoned their constituents, that they should be dealing not only with the redistricting, but they should also be dealing with, for example, flood relief,” he said.
“They will kind of use that politically against the Democrats. So that is the political risk that the Democrats have right now,” he said.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, now running for U.S. Senate, has called for the arrest of any Democrats who leave the state.
Several states watching redistricting results in Texas
As President Donald Trump openly pushes for redistricting gains, several other states, including California, Florida, Utah and Ohio, are closely watching Texas.
A successful quorum break could buy Democrats time for any court challenges to the current district maps to continue or to sway public opinion before the 2026 midterms.
