Paxton Gives Update On Supreme Court Case To Vacate Dem Seats Who Fled States

Texas Democrats who abandoned their posts and fled the state to block a GOP redistricting plan may soon face the ultimate consequence: losing their jobs.

The Texas Supreme Court — composed entirely of Republicans — has agreed to hear a case brought by Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton that could strip House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu of his seat, along with 12 other lawmakers who joined him in the dramatic walkout.

Abbott, who petitioned the Court to remove Wu, called the development a victory for Texans. “The briefing schedule brings the ring leader of the derelict Democrats … closer to consequences,” the governor posted.

Attorney General Paxton was even more blunt, blasting the Democrats for weeks of dereliction.
“Crossing back over state lines does not erase weeks of silencing their own districts and forfeiting their offices,” Paxton said. “These Democrats chose to put political theater above their constituents’ voices. If you deliberately, openly, and blatantly refuse to show up to work for weeks on end, you lose your job.”

The dispute stems from last summer, when dozens of Texas Democrats fled Austin to break quorum and stall a redistricting vote. The GOP-led map, backed by President Donald Trump, would add five new Republican seats in the U.S. House, strengthening the party’s majority ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Wu’s attorneys have argued that he cannot be removed without a two-thirds House vote, claiming that leaving the state was a political maneuver, not a resignation. But Republicans say the law is clear: abandoning office for weeks on end is a betrayal of the voters who elected them.

Abbott and Paxton have now aligned on the case after briefly clashing over which office had standing to bring the challenge. Paxton said he looks forward to working with the governor to “hold these cowards accountable.”

The high court’s ruling could set a precedent nationwide, signaling that elected officials cannot simply run from the legislative process when they lack the votes to win.

Meanwhile, Texas Republicans have already moved to close the loophole. The state House passed HB 18, which would fine lawmakers up to $5,000 per illegal donation accepted or made during a quorum break and cut off fundraising privileges altogether for those who abandon the chamber.

Texans elected representatives to serve them — not to hop on private planes to D.C. when the going gets tough. And now, the highest court in Texas may finally make sure these runaway Democrats pay the price.