A left-wing firebrand known for making controversial remarks, Crockett had denounced the Republican-proposed map, which draws her home out of her district, as “a power grab to silence voters.” The press release from Abbott’s office also stated that reports “indicate that many absentee Texas House Democrats have solicited or received funds to evade conducting legislative business and casting votes.” While Texas law dictates that “those Democrats who solicit, accept, or agree to accept such funds to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote may have violated bribery laws,” according to the press release, it also could signal “bribery violation for for any other person who offers, provides, or agrees to provide such funds to fleeing Democrat House members.” Texas law prevents the Democratic lawmakers from using their campaign money to pay fines. However, anonymous sources close to “Democratic fundraising strategy sessions” told the Tribune that “their legal teams have found a way to disburse the funds to members, but declined to provide any additional details.” Similarly, according to anonymous sources cited in the Tribune’s July 29 report, multiple members of Congress, including Democratic Texas Rep. Greg Casar, have on private calls with donors called for a “high-stakes Democratic resistance” to the GOP-led redistricting. His challenger in the upcoming Republican primary for the 2026 midterm election, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has also been a vocal supporter of the decision to arrest the quorum-busting representatives, and released a court order Tuesday to declare the representatives’ seats “vacant.” On Thursday, CNN’s chief data analyst, Harry Enten, said that Texas redistricting could make a “huge difference” for Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections, with Republicans potentially retaining control of the House of Representatives.
Author: Daisy Roser
Published at: 2025-08-05 22:26:27
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