An Illinois judge refused a legal request made by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Wednesday. Paxton had asked the court to enforce civil arrest warrants against Texas House Democrats who had fled to the Land of Lincoln to block a vote on redistricting.
The proposed redistricting was expected to benefit Republicans, potentially giving them five additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives before midterm elections next year.
Judge says court lacks jurisdiction
Judge Scott Larson of Illinois’ Eighth Circuit Court ruled that his court did not have the legal authority to take the action that Paxton was asking for in his motion.
“As the petitioner has failed to present a legal basis for the court to obtain subject matter jurisdiction over this cause of action, this court is without jurisdiction to grant petitioner’s emergency motion to rule on pleadings,” Larson wrote in his order filed Wednesday, as reported by CNN.
Illinois’ Eighth District lies in a conservative western portion of the state that includes Quincy. The state Supreme Court appointed Larson.
Democrats fled state to block vote
Paxton filed a motion last week, asking the court in Illinois to enforce arrest warrants for over 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers who left Texas, breaking the quorum. The Democrats fled to Illinois, California and New York, so that the Texas House could not vote on a newly drawn congressional map.
Texas Republicans, who supported the new congressional map, are trying to restore that quorum so they can move forward with the vote.
Warrants limited to Texas, says judge
Paxton and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are trying to get Texas courts to step in. Paxton also asked California to hold the Democrats in contempt. The judge in California has yet to rule on the case.
Judge Larson also noted that the warrants only apply within Texas and cannot be enforced in other states.
