Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has asked the Texas Supreme Court to act on a quo warranto petition against Democratic Representative Gene Wu, who is absent from legislative duties. The petition, supported by Governor Greg Abbott, seeks to declare seats vacant if House members do not return by the deadline set by Speaker Dustin Burrows. The action focuses on “runaway” legislators who have broken quorum, preventing the Legislature from conducting business, according to the Office of the Texas Attorney General.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said, “Texas is taking every available avenue to force runaway Democrats to return to Texas and hold them accountable for breaking quorum.” In a filing to the Texas Supreme Court, Paxton’s office cited a 2024 precedent, noting that a quo warranto proceeding “can only be brought by the attorney general, a county attorney, or a district attorney.” The filing also pointed to the Texas Constitution, which gives the Attorney General the duty to represent the state in all legal matters before the state’s highest court, as reported by the Office of the Texas Attorney General.
Texas Republicans and Democrats remain at odds after Democrats previously left the state to block legislation related to voter rights. Attorney General Ken Paxton has indicated he may file additional actions on Friday if Democrats continue to stay away from their legislative duties, further extending the legal dispute over quorum in the Texas Legislature, as stated by the Office of the Texas Attorney General.
