Politics

Texas Democrats Dig in After Exodus; GOP Threatens Arrest

Published

5 years ago

July 13, 2021

Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, center left, and Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, joined at left by Rep. Chris Turner, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, welcome Democratic members of the Texas legislature at a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, July 13, 2021. The lawmakers left Austin hoping to deprive the Texas Legislature of a quorum — the minimum number of representatives who have to be present for the body to operate, as they try to kill a Republican bill making it harder to vote in the Lone Star State. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Democrats who hurriedly took off to Washington to block sweeping new election laws urged Congress on Tuesday to quickly pass legislation protecting voting rights, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatened them with arrest the moment they return.

Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol, the Democrats were realistic about the limits of their gambit, noting they can hold up the GOP-backed proposals at home for only so long and arguing that only federal legislation would prevent some of the new restrictions from becoming law. In Austin, House Republicans authorized state troopers to find and corral missing legislators.

“We can’t hold this tide back forever. We’re buying some time. We need Congress and all of our federal leaders to use that time wisely,” Democratic state Rep. Chris Turner said, gathered with his fellow quorum-breakers outside the U.S. Capitol.

The Democrats’ dramatic exodus to Washington was in part aimed at rallying their voters on what they see as a priority issue ahead of the 2022 midterms, and at pressuring President Joe Biden to act as a federal voting legislation has stalled for months in the Senate.

Back home, Republicans in the unusually skeletal Texas Capitol authorized finding and bringing back more than 50 lawmakers “under warrant of arrest if necessary.” However, state troopers have no jurisdiction beyond Texas, making it unclear what — if any — actions would immediately be taken. A House Democrat who stayed behind said his understanding was that officers would search for his absent colleagues in Texas, even if it’s known they’re in Washington.

Abbott has already threatened Democrats with arrest once they come back home, which may not be until the current 30-day special session ends in August. Though that would successfully stymie the GOP’s current effort, Abbott has vowed to keep trying until the 2022 elections if necessary.

Turner, the Texas House Democratic leader, predicted the Texas Democrats’ efforts would ultimately be futile unless congressional Democrats take bolder action to overcome a Senate Republican blockade of their sweeping voting bill. The legislation, known as the For the People Act, would create national standards for voting that could roll back some restrictions that have been approved or are advancing in the Republican-led states.

The move by Texas House Republicans was expected after Democrats boarded private planes Monday to deny them the quorum necessary to conduct business — namely, passing one of America’s most restrictive voting measures. Other lighting-rod conservative issues that Abbott put on the agenda — including how race is taught in schools and new abortion restrictions — also were shelved with the Legislature now at a standstill.

“A sergeant-at-arms and any officers appointed by him are directed to send for all absentees whose attendance is not excused, for the purpose of securing and maintaining their attendance, by warrant of arrest if necessary,” Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan said.

Shortly after the vote, sergeant-at-arms locked the chamber doors. Four Democrats who did not go to Washington were among the lawmakers still inside, while the voting mechanisms on the desks of absent Democrats were locked.

A spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, which oversees state troopers and the Texas Rangers, did not comment after the remaining House members approved the measure 76-4.

State Rep. Eddie Morales, one of four Democrats who stayed behind, said it was his understanding that troopers would not leave Texas.

“I was told they will go to your home back in your district, they will go to your place of work, they will got to your apartment in Austin or wherever you live close by when you’re in session. And also family and friends that they may know of,” he said.

Despite the exodus by Democrats, Abbott has said Republicans will not be deterred.

“As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done,” Abbott told Austin television station KVUE.

It was the second time that Democratic lawmakers have staged a walkout over the voting overhaul, which they say will make it harder for young people, people of color and people with disabilities to vote. The legislation would outlaw 24-hour polling places, ban drop boxes for mail ballots and empower partisan poll watchers. Republicans say the measures are needed to fight fraud. Democrats counter that fraud is very rare and the bills target their supporters.

The measures are part of the GOP’s rush to enact new voting restrictions in response to former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. More than a dozen states this year have already passed tougher election laws — but only in Texas have Democrats put up this kind of fight.

The state has a history of attention-getting political tactics. Democrats, shut out of power in the Texas Capitol for decades, last left the state in 2003 to thwart a redistricting plan. That year, troopers went to Ardmore, Oklahoma, and asked them to come home on a plane sent by the Republican House speaker. But they were unable to arrest the lawmakers without a warrant issued by Oklahoma authorities, and the lawmakers refused the troopers’ request.

Democrats ultimately lost that fight, with the GOP passing new voting maps.

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Florida

Trump Plans Fort Myers Rally as Byron Donalds Seeks to Become Florida’s First Black Governor

Published

3 days ago

October 17, 2026

FNN NEWS

President Donald Trump, wearing a dark suit and yellow tie, descends aircraft stairs at Palm Beach International Airport with three men behind him.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (FNN) — President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a midterm rally in Fort Myers on Friday, Oct. 23, bringing his campaign efforts to the congressional district represented by his endorsed candidate for Florida governor, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

Donalds, the Republican nominee, faces Democrat David Jolly in the Nov. 3 election. If elected, Donalds would become Florida’s first Black governor, succeeding term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Byron Donalds, wearing a navy suit and yellow tie, gestures while speaking behind a Turning Point Action podium.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds speaks at a Turning Point Action event in Florida. Photo by Roman Garay / Florida National News.

Rally Set for Oct. 23

Trump’s remarks are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 10:30 a.m., according to the Republican Party’s event registration page. All times are Eastern.

Gulf Coast News reports that the rally will take place at Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University. However, the official GOP registration page still lists the venue as “To Be Announced.” Attendees should check that page for confirmation and updates.

Prominent conservative figures, including Tucker Carlson, then-former President Donald Trump, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and Megyn Kelly, rallied Republican voters during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, July 15-16, 2023.
Photo by Roman D. Garay / Florida National News.

Trump’s Endorsement Connects President to Historic Bid

Trump has endorsed Donalds, whose campaign lists the president among its prominent Republican supporters. The Fort Myers visit places Trump in Donalds’ Southwest Florida political base during the closing weeks of the election.

Following his primary victory, Donalds acknowledged Trump’s influence among Republican voters.

“Obviously, he has the strongest following of anybody in our party,” Donalds said, according to Associated Press reporting.

A Donalds victory would give Florida its first Black governor and extend Republican leadership in the governor’s office. Trump’s endorsement connects the president to that potentially historic outcome, although the rally announcement does not identify the event as exclusively supporting Donalds.

Republican Unity and Voter Turnout

Donalds called for Republicans to unite after the primary, telling supporters, “Tonight we are one united Republican Party,” according to the AP.

The Fort Myers rally will provide Trump another platform to address supporters ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The published event announcement confirms his appearance but does not list additional speakers.

Politics

RNC Chairman Joe Gruters Calls Trump an ‘Absolute Machine’ Ahead of Midterm Elections

Published

3 days ago

October 17, 2026

FNN NEWS

WASHINGTON (FNN) — Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters is urging Republicans to focus on voter turnout ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, praising President Donald Trump’s campaign appearances and arguing that the party’s success depends on getting supporters to the polls.

In a Fox News appearance highlighted in an RNC news release, Gruters described Trump as an “absolute machine” and pointed to the president’s rallies as a central part of Republicans’ election strategy.

Gruters: ‘It’s All About Turnout Now’

Gruters expressed confidence in Republican candidates while sharply criticizing their Democratic opponents.

“We have strong candidates; [Democrats] have incredibly weak candidates. It’s all about turnout now. That’s why the president’s going to all these rallies. He’s an absolute machine, getting the job done,” Gruters said, according to the release.

His remarks emphasized voter mobilization as Republicans seek to protect and expand their congressional majorities.

RNC Chairman Highlights Trump’s Policies

Gruters also praised the administration’s policies, particularly its approach to the southern border, presenting those efforts as reasons voters should support Republican candidates.

“This president deserves a lot of credit. He deserves a lot of praise for all these great things that he has done,” he said.

The release included broader claims about border enforcement and drug trafficking but did not provide supporting data. Those statements represent Gruters’ assessment of the administration’s record.

Florida Connection to National GOP Leadership

Gruters, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, now leads the national party’s effort to rally Republican voters. The Florida GOP described him as a longtime Trump ally when announcing his election as RNC chairman.

His national role places a political leader with Florida party experience at the forefront of Republicans’ midterm turnout campaign.

Closing Message: Get Supporters to the Polls

“This race all comes down to turnout,” Gruters said.

He framed the election as a choice about the country’s direction and urged voters to continue supporting Trump and conservative leadership.

“If you believe in the American dream, and you still have hope that you or your children could achieve it, then you’ve got to continue the leadership of the conservative party and this president, Donald J. Trump.”

Central Florida News

Tiffany Moore Russell Plans Orange County Campaign Stops Ahead of Early Voting

Published

3 days ago

October 17, 2026

FNN NEWS

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County mayoral candidate Tiffany Moore Russell plans to attend Orlando’s Come Out With Pride celebration and visit churches across the county this weekend as her campaign reaches voters ahead of early voting, according to a campaign announcement.

The Oct. 17-18 stops will give residents opportunities to discuss their priorities with Moore Russell. Candidates, elected officials, community leaders and supporters are expected to join her at various locations, the campaign said.

“This weekend is about traveling across Orange County, meeting residents where they are and hearing directly from them about the future of our community,” Moore Russell said in the announcement. “That is the kind of Mayor I will be — present, accessible and focused on delivering for the people of Orange County.”

Saturday: Come Out With Pride

Moore Russell is scheduled to participate in the Most Colorful Parade at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, in downtown Orlando, according to her campaign.

The campaign lists the parade’s starting point as Washington Street and Orange Avenue, with the route concluding at Lake Eola Park. Moore Russell’s appearance will highlight her support for Orange County’s LGBTQ+ community, the announcement said.

Sunday: Church Visits Across Orange County

Moore Russell’s community church tour is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Saint Mark AME Church, 1968 Bruton Blvd., Orlando.

She will then visit additional churches throughout Orange County to meet with congregations, according to the campaign. The announcement did not identify the other churches or provide a complete schedule.

Affordability, Transportation and Small Businesses

During the weekend stops, Moore Russell plans to discuss housing affordability, transportation connections to jobs, support for small and local businesses, and improvements to county government services.

The campaign described those issues as central to her vision for the county but did not outline specific policy proposals in the announcement.

Early Voting Begins Oct. 19

Early voting in Orange County runs Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, according to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections. Registered Orange County voters may cast ballots at any of the county’s 27 early voting locations.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters casting ballots on Election Day must use their assigned polling place.