Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is now enjoying host to roughly 30 rogue Texas Democrats who fled the Lone Star State to dam a mid-decade redistricting vote backed by President Donald Trump and the Republican legislature.
The Texas Democrats, as soon as once more resorting to legislative cowardice, broke quorum simply earlier than a scheduled particular session that will have cemented a brand new congressional map, one anticipated to create 5 new GOP-leaning seats.
Of their determined try and cease the vote, these runaway lawmakers fled throughout state strains to Chicago, the place they’re being sheltered and suggested by none apart from far-left Governor Pritzker himself, in accordance with NBC.
This marks the second time in recent times that Texas Democrats have pulled this unconstitutional stunt. They tried the identical tactic in 2021—and failed.
In response, Texas Lawyer Normal Ken Paxton blasted the lawmakers, saying: “Democrats within the Texas Home who try to run away like cowards ought to be discovered, arrested, and introduced again to the Capitol instantly. We must always use each device at our disposal to seek out those that assume they’re above the legislation.”
Democrats within the Texas Home who try to run away like cowards ought to be discovered, arrested, and introduced again to the Capitol instantly.
We must always use each device at our disposal to seek out those that assume they’re above the legislation.
— Lawyer Normal Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) August 3, 2025
Final month, Paxton issued a stern warning, vowing to arrest any Democrats who tried to play political video games.
“If Democrats ignore their obligation to their constituents by breaking quorum, they need to be discovered and arrested irrespective of the place they go. The folks of Texas elected them to do a job, not run away and conceal like cowards. Lawmakers should reply the particular session name and cross the vital priorities that the Governor has put ahead.
My workplace stands prepared to help native, state, and federal authorities in looking down and compelling the attendance of anybody who abandons their workplace and their constituents for reasonable political theater.”
If Democrats ignore their obligation to their constituents by breaking quorum, they need to be discovered and arrested irrespective of the place they go. The folks of Texas elected them to do a job, not run away and conceal like cowards. Lawmakers should reply the particular session name and cross the… https://t.co/sxLvZCIOB1
— Lawyer Normal Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) July 15, 2025
Now, far-left Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has brokered a deal to host 30 Texas Democrats in Chicago in a last-ditch try and sabotage a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump and Texas Republicans.
These rogue Texas lawmakers fled the Lone Star State like cowards, intentionally breaking quorum to grind legislative enterprise to a halt.
NBC reported:
The roughly 30 Democrats are anticipated to remain for the week in a plan brokered with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who had met with the Texas caucus late final month and has directed employees to offer logistical help for his or her keep. A information convention with the governor and Texas Democrats is predicted later Sunday.
“We’re leaving Texas to battle for Texans,” Texas Home Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu mentioned in a press release. “We won’t enable catastrophe aid to be held hostage to a Trump gerrymander. We’re not strolling out on our obligations; we’re strolling out on a rigged system that refuses to take heed to the folks we symbolize. As of right now, this corrupt particular session is over.”
[…]
Politically, the transfer places Pritzker on the heart of a high-profile nationwide battle. The governor, who’s operating for his third time period in workplace, can also be extensively seen as a 2028 presidential contender. He has implored Democrats to withstand Trump’s agenda.
The origins of Pritzker’s involvement started when the governor gave a keynote tackle to Oklahoma Democrats in June. Pritzker met privately in a “strong” assembly with the celebration chair to speak concerning the Texas redistricting, in accordance with an individual near the governor. When Pritzker later met with Texas Democrats, he assured them they may come to his state and discover help, together with discovering inns, assembly areas and different logistical help.
The Texas Democrats, nevertheless, face the risk of a $500-a-day fine and even potential arrest for fleeing the state. The Republican-controlled Legislature authorised the measure in 2023, two years after state Democrats left the state for three weeks to dam an elections invoice from progressing.
“Democrats have gotten to face up at this level and inform each particular person on this nation, ‘This isn’t regular. This isn’t democracy,’” Democratic state Rep. Ann Johnson instructed NBC Information on Saturday.
