Texas Voters Unite Against Governor Abbott's Attempt to Silence Democratic Representation

Strategic Insights -

A coalition of organizations has filed a friend of the court brief with the Texas Supreme Court, arguing that Governor Greg Abbott's attempt to expel State Representative Gene Wu is unconstitutional and sets a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy. The brief, filed by the League of Women Voters of Texas, Asian Texans for Justice, OCA-Greater Houston, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Texas State Conference of the NAACP, and Unidos US, claims that the Governor's request is not only unprecedented in Texas history but also violates the state and federal constitutions. The organizations represent members of the voting public in Texas, including those represented by State Representative Wu, who has been a vocal advocate for voting rights and against racist gerrymanders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The coalition of organizations argues that Governor Abbott's attempt to remove a duly elected member of the Texas House of Representatives is unconstitutional and could set a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy.
  • The Texas-based organizations represent members of the voting public in Texas, including those represented by State Representative Wu, who has been a vocal advocate for voting rights and against racist gerrymanders.
  • The organizations claim that the Governor's request is not only unprecedented in Texas history but also violates the state and federal constitutions.
  • The League of Women Voters of Texas, Asian Texans for Justice, OCA-Greater Houston, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Texas State Conference of the NAACP, and Unidos US have united to file the friend of the court brief with the Texas Supreme Court.
  • The organizations are represented by Democracy Forward and Susman Godfrey LLP.
  • Joyce LeBombard, president of the League of Women Voters of Texas, stated that the League is concerned by the legislature's attempt to thwart the will of the voters through corrupt and discriminatory mid-cycle redistricting.
  • Nabila Mansoor, Co-Executive Director, Asian Texans for Justice, said that Governor Abbott's lawsuit against Representative Wu is a blatant abuse of power and an attack on one lawmaker, but also part of a broader pattern of anti-Asian hostility and political retaliation.
  • Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas State Conference of the NAACP, stated that the organization is duty-bound to oppose the Governor's baseless attempt to remove members through the use of expanded executive authority.

Statistics:

  • More than 150 years of Texas history have featured legislative quorum breaks to protect voting rights (Source: Texas-based organizations).
  • Texas-based organizations represent members of the voting public in Texas, including those represented by State Representative Wu (Source: League of Women Voters of Texas, Asian Texans for Justice, OCA-Greater Houston, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Texas State Conference of the NAACP, and Unidos US).
  • 100% of the organizations filing the friend of the court brief are represented by Democracy Forward and Susman Godfrey LLP (Source: Original text).

Sources:

  • League of Women Voters of Texas
  • Asian Texans for Justice
  • OCA-Greater Houston
  • League of United Latin American Citizens, Texas State Conference
  • Texas State Conference of the NAACP
  • Unidos US
  • Democracy Forward
  • Susman Godfrey LLP
  • Original text: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/texas-voters-state-supreme-court-governor-abbotts-attempt-silence-voters