A state representative from El Paso faces an arrest warrant after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the detention of “delinquent Texas House lawmakers” who fled the state to block a redistricting vote that could give Republicans more seats in the U.S. House.
State Rep. Vince Perez, D- El Paso, said on Monday, Aug. 4, the warrant for his arrest stems not from a crime, but from a moral stand against what they call a racially unjust redistricting map.
Perez also argues that the proposed map would dilute Hispanic representation and unfairly favor White voters. Despite facing an arrest warrant, he vows to keep fighting for fair representation for El Paso and all Texans.
“For the first time since the Civil Rights Movement, we’re facing a reality where political power is blatantly distributed along racial lines. White Texans, who make up 40% of our state, would control 70% of all congressional seats, leaving the majority Black, Hispanic, and Asian Texans fighting over what’s left,” Perez said in a news release.
Former El Paso County Commissioner Vince Perez speaks during a forum for candidates in the Texas House District 77 race. The event was hosted by the El Paso Chamber and Raise Your Hand Texas, an Austin-based education advocacy group.
More: GOP map would strip Fort Bliss, El Paso airport from US Rep. Veronica Escobar’s District 16
Greg Abbott orders arrest of Democratic lawmakers
Abbott instructed Texas law enforcement to arrest Democratic lawmakers who left the state in an effort to prevent a vote on a redistricting plan that could increase Republican representation in the U.S. House.
“Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans,” Abbott said in a news release Monday, Aug. 4. “By fleeing the state, Texas House Democrats are holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief. There are consequences for dereliction of duty.”
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas Democrats from El Paso face arrest in Texas redistricting dispute
