By: Texas State Senator Royce West
Ding! Ding! Ding! Yes, we all hear the bell ringing that brings the first round of the fight on RIGdistricting to a close. The past few weeks have been a valiant and exhaustive fight. But the inevitable happened: SB 4, the companion redistricting map to HB 4, was introduced on the Senate Floor on Tuesday. It would eventually pass.
However, in a bold and unwavering act of defiance, I, along with fellow Senate Democrats, deliberately walked out of the chamber during the vote to send an unmistakable message. There is nothing fair in this fight, but we will not back down! We will continue to protest, fight fiercely, and utilize every tool at our disposal to stand firm against the Governor and his allies’ push for Trump’s RIGdistricting efforts.
We are resolute in our determination to oppose this unconstitutional attack on our democracy. While the bill passed out of the Senate, our heroic House allies’ strategic absence ensures that Round One goes to the Democrats. This fight is far from over, and we will not be silenced.
Round Two will be even more divisive and probably will not go our way. But I’m confident, let me repeat. I’m very CONFIDENT that because of the elevation of this issue to a national level and alliances now forged with other states, we have partners who have joined us in this fight for Democracy.
More specifically, the states of California, Illinois, and New York will weigh in heavily to help stop Trump’s attempt to disenfranchise minority and Democrat-leaning voters.
We are getting calls from across the country from individuals who stand in our corner and are willing to tag in at a moment’s notice. While in Boston recently for a conference attended by legislators from across the country, representatives from more than 35 states pledged their support of our efforts.
Instead of focusing on the priorities of Texans, the Governor continues to prioritize Donald Trump’s power grab. Today, Senate Democrats stand united with our House colleagues. We will not cave. The Senate will stand firm. This is just the beginning of the fight; the first battle in a prolonged campaign.
