Dems Protest Gerrymandering — By Fleeing To Illinois

Democrat state representatives in Texas are fleeing to Chicago, Illinois, to break quorum and block a vote on the 2026 congressional redistricting map.

A total of 51 Texas Democrats traveled to Illinois in an effort to halt legislative proceedings by denying the state House a quorum, aiming to block a vote on the proposed redistricting map.

The Texas state legislature announced the introduction of a bill that would redraw its congressional districts, likely to favor Republican candidates due to the addition of five House seats, CBS News reported.

With control of the House at stake in 2021, Illinois Democrats redrew their congressional maps, removing two Republican-held districts and strengthening their position in Washington, D.C., according to a Politico report.

My Democratic colleagues and I just left the state of Texas to break quorum and stop Trump’s redistricting power grab.

Trump is trying to rig the midterm elections right before our eyes. But first he’ll have to come through us.

It’s time to fight back. pic.twitter.com/xOshwmy2eA

— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) August 3, 2025

Several Texas Democrats joined Democrat Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker at a press conference, where he criticized President Donald Trump, accusing him of cheating in Texas in a post on X.

Democratic Texas State Rep. James Talarico was among the lawmakers who fled to Illinois, aiming to block what he described as “Trump’s redistricting power grab” — a Republican-led effort to redraw the congressional map and add five additional seats.

Democratic Texas State Rep. Sheryl Cole also posted on X about leaving Texas for Illinois, stating that she and her colleagues will not allow Trump’s “steal” to occur.

“I’m heading to Chicago right now to stop this rigged-redistricting process.”

Texas Democrats FLED to Illinois to avoid voting on a redistricting plan, by denying the state House a quorum.

Some of them actually did a presser with far-left Governor JB Pritzker. pic.twitter.com/264mzsBW3s

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 4, 2025

“We can’t allow Donald Trump and Greg Abbott to steal power from the people with these proposed congressional maps. We are continuing to hold the line, no matter what,” she continued.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2024 showed Texas’ population increased by more than any other state in the country, KXAN reported.

Attorney General Ken Paxton called for the arrest of the Democratic lawmakers who fled to Illinois, accusing them of abandoning their duties and the people of Texas in a post on X.

“I support the immediate arrest of these rogue lawmakers who’ve fled their duties,” he stated.

“These radical Democrats are spitting in the face of every Texan they swore to represent,” he continued. “This is cowardice and dereliction of duty, and they should face the full force of the law without apology.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a warning to the Democratic lawmakers who fled the state, stating that if they fail to return by 3 p.m. Monday, their seats may be declared vacant and replacements could be appointed.