Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick (R) defended GOP redistricting efforts, saying Republicans “deserve” more seats in Congress because the Lone Star State is a red state.
In an interview on Fox News’s “Hannity” Tuesday evening, Patrick slammed Democrats for fleeing the state in a bid to block passage of a new Congressional map that would give Republicans five pickup opportunities in the House during the 2026 midterms, and he accused Democrats of losing touch with their voters.
“I challenge them: Come back and do the right thing. Don’t run and hide because you’ve lost touch with the voters,” Patrick told host Sean Hannity in the interview.
“Their problem are not redistricting lines,” he continued. “Their problem, Sean, is they’ve lost the minds of their voters, who are moving towards the Republican Party all over the country.”
“We’re a red state. We deserve more representation,” he added.
After a Texas House committee advanced the updated congressional lines during their special session last week, Democrats left the state to deny Republicans a quorum, or the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct business.
In response, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has called for the Democrats’ arrest and has ordered the Texas Rangers to launch a probe into the lawmakers for possible bribery and other violations.
Patrick pledged to push forward with the redistricting process in the Texas Senate, where members still have a quorum, and vowed to pass the new maps “whatever it takes.”
“We’re going to pass out redistricting next week,” Patrick said, referring to the state’s upper chamber. “We’re going to pass out our agenda.”
“We’re going to move it forward and, working with the speaker, … We’re either going to do it now. We’re going to do it in later August. We’re going to do it in September. We’re going to do it October,” he continued. “Whatever it takes, Sean, whatever it takes, we’re going to get it done. There’s nothing they can do to stop us.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has also pressed the FBI to intervene and force the Democrats to return to vote. The suggestion was also floated by President Trump, who told reporters on Tuesday that Republicans are “entitled” to the five House seats.
