Texas Dems flee state over primary fears, GOP lawmaker alleges

Numerous Texas Democrats fled the state to Democratic strongholds in response to a Republican redistricting effort. Republican Texas state Rep. Briscoe Cain stated in an interview with Fox News Digital that many Democrats left out of fear of facing primary challenges from more extreme members within their own party.

Cain explained, “They are staying away not because they fear the Republican legislation, but rather because they fear being challenged in a primary by someone even more radical than themselves.” He added that many Democrats do not want to be away from the state but feel compelled to do so due to the current dynamics within their party.

Dozens of Democratic state lawmakers left Texas for states like Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York to disrupt a quorum for a special session where a vote on a redrawn congressional map was scheduled ahead of the 2026 midterms.

State lawmakers have indicated that they plan to remain absent until the end of August, coinciding with the conclusion of the special session.

Texas law mandates that at least two-thirds of lawmakers in either chamber must be present to proceed with legislative matters. Currently, the Democratic minority party holds 62 seats in the Texas house compared to the GOP’s 88.

The Texas House has been at a standstill since the Democrats left over the weekend. Cain mentioned that six Democrats are in the Austin area, and six more are needed to achieve a quorum.

Cain also noted that three additional Democrats are in the Houston area, potentially provoking Republicans to consider arresting them for their absence.

Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows signed arrest warrants for the absent Democrats on Monday, following approval from the state House and a directive from Gov. Greg Abbott for the Texas Department of Public Safety to take action. However, these warrants are largely symbolic and only applicable to those within state borders.

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu addresses reporters on Aug. 3, 2025, as Democrats fled Texas to prevent a quorum. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Sen. John Cornyn reported that the FBI has agreed to assist in locating the missing lawmakers as Republicans work towards reestablishing a quorum upon their return.

Cain mentioned that Republicans are taking various actions, including investigating potential bribery, following the Democrats’ departure. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated an investigation into Beto O’Rourke’s nonprofit, Powered by People, over allegations of funding the Democratic exodus from the state, which Paxton labeled as a political bribe.

Responding to the investigation, O’Rourke criticized Texas Republicans as “thugs” trying to “steal our country” and accused Paxton of engaging in bribery himself.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has criticized lawmakers who fled the state as “delinquent Texas House Democrats.” (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Democratic governors in states like Illinois and New York have offered support to the Texas Democrats who left the Lone Star State. Cain pointed out the irony that these Democrats fled to states with a history of gerrymandered voting lines.

“The irony is evident in the fact that they fled to states known for gerrymandering,” Cain remarked. He highlighted the Democrats’ claim of bravery while fleeing and emphasized that Texans do not shy away from challenges.

Cain noted that Texas lawmakers have historically used quorum breaking as a political tactic, with recent instances occurring in 2021 and 2004 over similar issues. He mentioned that such actions have not yielded positive results for Democrats in the past.

President Donald Trump has expressed support for redistricting efforts in Texas, emphasizing the potential for the GOP to gain additional seats. Cain stressed the need for redistricting in Texas to reflect the state’s changing demographics since 2020.

Contributions to this report were made by Fox News Digital’s Diana Stancy and Alec Schemmel.