The order came at the request of Attorney General Ken Paxton, who O’Rourke accused in a separate lawsuit of going on a “fishing expedition, constitutional rights be damned.”
Redistricting Texas 2025
A panel of federal judges has blocked Texas’ attempt to use new congressional maps in 2026. Republican state lawmakers drew the new districts to pick up five additional U.S. House seats after a pressure campaign waged by President Donald Trump’s political team. Texas House Democrats left the state during the unusual mid-decade redrawing, delaying passage of the maps and attracting national attention to what became a multi-state redistricting battle.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Ken Paxton asks Texas Supreme Court to expel 13 House Democrats over redistricting standoff
Gov. Greg Abbott previously asked the court to expel Rep. Gene Wu, the House Democratic leader. Paxton disputed the governor’s authority to make the request.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Gov. Greg Abbott asks Texas Supreme Court to expel House Democratic leader who left state
Legal experts say it’s “inconsistent with the Texas Constitution” to argue that leaving the state to halt legislative action qualifies as abandoning an office.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Paxton launches investigation into Beto O’Rourke’s political group for funding Democrats who left state
The attorney general is also looking into the George Soros-backed Texas Majority PAC, which is playing a coordinating role to solicit donations from Democratic donors.
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2026 Texas Elections
Rep. James Talarico mulls U.S. Senate bid as his profile rises amid Texas Democrats’ redistricting standoff
The Democratic state lawmaker has inquired about Senate television ad rates, two sources told the Tribune.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Texas redistricting standoff complicates preparations for March 2026 primary
New maps would mean months of work for election officials, and key deadlines are approaching.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Texas Democrats know they may lose redistricting protest, but hope to spark a national fight
Democrats concede there’s only so much they can do to keep Texas from redrawing its maps. But they want to encourage blue states to retaliate.
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2026 Texas Elections
Paxton, Burrows ask Illinois court to enforce Texas arrest warrants against Democrats who left the state
The attorney general is calling on the “full faith and credit” clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says states should typically honor each other’s judicial proceedings.
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2026 Texas Elections
Cornyn says FBI will help locate absent Texas Democrats, but scope of feds’ role unclear
The Republican senator, who is facing a tough primary challenge, previously asked FBI Director Kash Patel for the agency’s help in tracking down the House lawmakers.
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Redistricting Texas 2025
Abbott’s bid to expel the House Democratic leader goes to a court filled with his appointees
The Texas Supreme Court said in 2021 the Constitution allows members to thwart legislation by leaving the state. Abbott wants them to reconsider.