# Texas 2025 redistricting standoff -- what is endgame? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 5, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745 "2025-08-05T23:21:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/1 "2025-08-05T23:21:25Z")
I’m surprised there isn’t a thread on tis (if there is, I couldn’t find it) Summary: Texas’ R dominated legislature wants to redistrict to add 5 more R US congresscritters in the 2026 midterms. Some (most?) Democratic legislators left the state so the vote cannot be held due to lack of quorum. Assuming that the Rs will not give up (seems unlikely that they would) the Ds will have to come back at some point (if only for some other vote) and the redistricting will happen. The only way to prevent redistricting seems for the Ds to stay away until November 2026 which seems unlikely to me. Note that CA and NY have threatened to do the reverse (redistrict to favor Ds) in retaliation – while understandable I find this distasteful – Please keep discussion to Texas only – I acknowledge that Ds are not pure when it comes to gerrymandering. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/2 "2025-08-05T23:28:11Z")
They could impeach Democratic state congresspeople to remove them from rolls, and then get on with the business of continuing to turn Texas into the Ye-Haw Hermit Kingdom of Big Belt Buckles and [Absurdly Giant Mums](https://www.txmums.com). Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/3 "2025-08-05T23:32:52Z")
What is the endgame? To maintain control of the House of Representatives at all costs at the midterms. There’s nothing they won’t do, no line they won’t cross. The haven’t gotten this far by respecting norms, traditions or laws. The only and perennial answer is: Power. It’s all they care about. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/4 "2025-08-05T23:35:44Z")
And ultimately, whatever maps they devise will approved by our irretrievably corrupt and broken court system. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/5 "2025-08-05T23:45:20Z")
Special sessions only last 30 days and can only cover what the governor calls the session for. After the 30 days he’ll have to call a new session. I think he called three special sessions last session(two years ago). Don’t recall off the top of my head ever having four but probably has happened. The Republican party seems only to care about themselves lately, not their constituents. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/6 "2025-08-06T00:10:12Z")
They still care about their billionaire constituents. (But upon review, I guess that’s just an extension of caring for themselves.) ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/7 "2025-08-06T02:32:07Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > They could impeach Democratic state congresspeople to remove them from rolls, and then get on with the business of continuing to turn Texas into the Ye-Haw Hermit Kingdom of Big Belt Buckles and [Absurdly Giant Mums](https://www.txmums.com). Quorum is 2/3. I can’t imagine that conviction for impeachment is less than that. If so as they can’t get a quorum, I don’t see a conviction either. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/8 "2025-08-06T02:45:00Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > They could impeach Democratic state congresspeople to remove them from rolls [It appears they won’t have to bother with impeachment.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/us/politics/california-texas-redistricting-maps.html?unlocked_article_code=1.b08.Cmi3.GItcFRef7NNN&smid=url-share) (gift link) > …state attorney general, Ken Paxton, said that if the absent Democrats did not return by Friday, he would seek a court order declaring their seats vacant. Senator Cornyn has called for the FBI to pursue, arrest and return any of the Democrats who fled the state. DJT has suggested it may be necessary to do this. Arrest warrants have already been issued and they are set to be fined $500 a day for each day they are absent. Noises are being made by Abbott to prosecute them all for any donation they may have received to help them leave the state. The charge would be bribery. Abbott has already filed an emergency petition with the Texas Supreme Court seeking the removal of Houston Rep. Gene Wu from office. The governor argued that by his absence, Mr. Wu had forfeited the office of state representative. More like this to come. I predict the next move will be to outlaw the Democratic Party in the state. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/9 "2025-08-06T03:34:51Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I predict the next move will be to outlaw the Democratic Party in the state. First they’re going to edit the official record to make Ann ‘Ma’ Richards an unperson and replace her with Claytie Williams. They don’t want any inconvenient facts in their history. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/10 "2025-08-06T04:05:41Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > The haven’t gotten this far by respecting norms, traditions or laws. How dare they break norms that we broke years ago! > **[Oregon Republicans flee, facing fines, state police chasing — Democrats...](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/oregon-republicans-flee-facing-fines-state-police-chasing-democrats-demand-n1020571)** > > The GOP lawmakers bolted the state Capitol to prevent a vote on a climate change bill, infuriating the governor. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/11 "2025-08-06T04:09:38Z")
Indeed. I wondered if that’s where they got the idea. I think some laws were changed here that barred them for re-running for reelection if they pulled that shit past a certain point. I’m hazy on the details, though, without looking it up (and I’m tired tonight and don’t feel like doing that). I know they stopped doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/12 "2025-08-06T04:13:15Z")
It’s the kind of thing that probably only works once per state, until, as you say, they tighten up the laws to make the consequences more severe. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/13 "2025-08-06T04:14:12Z")
Sadly, Texas may be a special case where it works indefinitely. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/14 "2025-08-06T04:22:30Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > It’s the kind of thing that probably only works once per state, until, as you say, they tighten up the laws to make the consequences more severe. Which should serve as an object lesson for anyone who advocates for undermining democrat norms out of expediency, however well intentioned it may be. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/15 "2025-08-06T04:37:21Z")
Yes. Although I would add that abiding by one’s principles is reason enough to respect norms, and that the implicit sanction you inevitably give to the opposition when you break said norms is of secondary concern (though still important). ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/16 "2025-08-06T04:47:34Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > > [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > > > They could impeach Democratic state congresspeople to remove them from rolls > > [It appears they won’t have to bother with impeachment.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/us/politics/california-texas-redistricting-maps.html?unlocked_article_code=1.b08.Cmi3.GItcFRef7NNN&smid=url-share) (gift link) > > > …state attorney general, Ken Paxton, said that if the absent Democrats did not return by Friday, he would seek a court order declaring their seats vacant. From what I’ve read even Paxton himself has said that such a court order would not be certain to work and would likely end up in the courts for a long time. > [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Senator Cornyn has called for the FBI to pursue, arrest and return any of the Democrats who fled the state. DJT has suggested it may be necessary to do this. Using the FBI to track down and arrest state legislators would be highly inflammatory but you can’t put it past Trump to at least try. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/17 "2025-08-06T05:19:20Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I wondered if that’s where they got the idea. Doubtful. Various factions of lawmakers and other officials have been withdrawing from governing bodies and segregating themselves in an attempt to deny legitimacy to the remainder for a long, long time. > **[Secessio plebis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secessio_plebis)** > > Secessio plebis (withdrawal of the commoners, or secession of the plebs) was an informal exercise of power by Rome's plebeian citizens between the 5th century BC and 3rd century BC., similar in concept to the general strike. During the secessio plebis, the plebs would abandon the city en masse in a protest emigration and leave the patrician order to themselves. Therefore, a secessio meant that all shops and workshops would shut down and commercial transactions would largely cease. This was an e... ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/18 "2025-08-06T05:31:39Z")
Paxton and Abbott are just as proto-fascist as DJT. I doubt they will wait for court orders to tell them they can’t expel or lock up Democrats. They have already justified putting razor wire in the middle of the Rio Grande to kill brown people. Using the FBI to track down the state legislators would indeed be highly inflammatory. These people don’t care. They are all for the right wing authoritarianism. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/19 "2025-08-06T09:51:36Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > [Absurdly Giant Mums](https://www.txmums.com). What the hell is that? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745/20 "2025-08-06T11:23:56Z")
The Texas GOP has been pretty frank in admitting that the goal is to insure a continuing Republican majority in Congress for Trump, a tacit admission that the GOP is pretty worried about the midterms. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-2025-redistricting-standoff-what-is-endgame/1021745.md?page=2)