Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) stated on Sunday that the state would offer protection to Texas Democrats who have fled to Illinois in response to the GOP’s attempts to modify Texas’s legislative map.
“They are safe here in Illinois. We’re standing by them, and we believe they are doing what’s right, so we’ll support them fully, as they are acting within the law,” he said.
He added, “It’s Ken Paxton who’s not adhering to the law, as well as the leaders in Texas who are trying to evade accountability.”
Pritzker’s remarks followed Texas Democrats leaving their state to oppose their GOP colleagues and to disrupt the quorum needed for legislative business during special sessions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has called for a special session focused on advancing a new congressional map that would present Republicans with five additional opportunities to gain seats.
A Texas House panel proceeded with the map, setting it up for votes on the house floor. With Republicans holding the majority in both chambers and the governor’s office, the maps are expected to pass easily.
To prevent these maps from being approved, Texas Democrats have primarily relocated to Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts.
However, breaking quorum means that each lawmaker could face a $500 penalty and the possibility of arrest daily. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton remarked on social media last Sunday that “any Texas Democrat who attempts to flee like a coward should be tracked down, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately.”
This exodus by Texas Democrats mirrors a similar strategy from 2003 when Republicans attempted mid-cycle redistricting, underscoring the party’s commitment to opposing any moves by the Republicans to alter election maps.
“This is wrong. This isn’t American. It’s undemocratic,” said Rep. Trey Martinez Fisher, a Democrat. “We, as a country, need to wake up. The Republicans are undermining our democracy right before our eyes.”
The debate over redistricting could escalate into a broader contest among blue and red states, all looking to reshape their own legislative boundaries.
This issue also raises the profiles of several potential contenders for the 2028 elections, including Pritzker, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R).
