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Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, expressed her determination to counter Republican efforts to implement redistricting in Texas on Monday, denouncing the move while also indicating her intention to pursue it herself.
Hochul welcomed Texas Democrats who fled their state in an attempt to block a redistricting vote on Monday. The New York Democrat argued that President Donald Trump and Republicans are involved in a “legal insurrection” to undermine the upcoming 2026 elections, leaving Democrats with no choice but to adopt similar tactics.
“What Texas and Republican states are doing at the direction of Donald Trump, I say, is nothing short of a legal insurrection against our Capitol,” Hochul stated. “Legal in the sense that they are utilizing the legal process. It does not mean it is legal, and it must be halted.”
“If Republicans are willing to alter these rules to gain an advantage, then they are forcing our hand. We must do the same,” she continued. “All is fair in love and war. That is why I am exploring every option with our leaders to redraw our state congressional lines as soon as possible.”
TEXAS DEMOCRATS FLEE STATE TO BLOCK TRUMP-BACKED REDISTRICTING VOTE IN DRAMATIC LEGISLATIVE MOVE
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Hochul further mentioned that New York’s state legislative leaders have expressed their support for any redistricting plan.
New York and Illinois are currently hosting Texas Democrats who left the state legislature in an effort to prevent Republicans from achieving a quorum needed to pass their redistricting plan.
TRUMP, REPUBLICANS RACE TO REDRAW TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL MAP AS DEMOCRATS THREATEN LEGAL WAR
Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that the lawmakers could face arrest and expulsion if they do not return by Monday afternoon.
Gov. Greg Abbott warned Texas House Democrats that they will be expelled from office if they don’t return to the Lone Star State to vote on Republicans’ proposed redistricting map. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Several Texas Democratic state representatives arrived in Chicago and New York on Sunday night to delay the vote. Shortly after Abbott’s statement, the Texas House Democratic Caucus responded simply by saying, “Come and take it.”
The statement also criticized the proposed districts by Republicans, which could potentially secure five new GOP U.S. House seats in next year’s midterm elections, as a “racist mid-decade redistricting scheme.”
Abbott condemned the Democrats’ dramatic departure, stating that “real Texans don’t run from a fight.”
The Texas State Capitol in Austin, where Republicans are seeking a vote on redistricting. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
In addition to potential removal from office, the lawmakers on the run face the threat of being charged with a felony for “soliciting funds to evade the fines they will incur under House rules,” as warned by Abbott.
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“Any Democrat who ‘solicits, accepts or agrees to accept’ such funds to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote may have violated bribery laws,” he stated, citing the Texas Penal Code. He also added that individuals who “offers, confers or agrees to confer” money to the fleeing lawmakers might also face charges.
Fox News’ Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report
