The redistricting controversy in Texas has reached Tehama County.
Shawn Cowles, an attorney representing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, filed suit in Tehama County Superior Court on Friday, looking to force the return of six Democrat legislators.
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The lawmakers are Rhetta Andrews Bowers, Gina Hinojosa, Ann Johnson, Ray Lopez, Mary Ann Perez and Vincent Perez.
It does not claim any of the legislators are in Tehama County — but they do not have to be for the court to act.
“Venue is proper pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 395 because all Defendants are nonresidents of California and are temporarily located in California; therefore, an action may be commenced in any county,” the suit says.
On Aug. 3, Texas House Democrats fled to other states to stop the GOP-controlled state legislature from passing new U.S. House maps that would give Texas Republicans more winnable seats in 2026.
The chamber needs at least 100 of its 150 members to do business. The Democratic Party has taken advantage of this by orchestrating the majority of its 62 members to remain outside the state.
The Texas lawsuit argues that the “Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution” compels California to help.
The suit argues “this Court should issue such orders to effectuate the Quorum Warrants, just as if they were acts of the state of California and treat the Quorum Warrants as its own civil order.”
“Texas respectfully requests the Court issue a rule to show cause why Defendants should not be held in contempt for their knowing efforts to evade Texas’s duly issued Quorum Warrants,” the suit reads.
It also argues that the Texas Constitution limits special sessions of the Texas Legislature to 30 days, and the current session will end no later than Aug. 20.
The suit stressed that, absent immediate action by the court, the Texas Legislature will be unable to address any of the 18 matters presented by the governor, including disaster flood relief and matters involving the Texas public school system.
Tehama County supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, giving him 64% of the vote and Vice President Kamala Harris 33%.
Harris carried California with 59% of the vote, suggesting Paxton filed the petition in a county that might be more receptive to the Republican attorney general’s argument.
The Associated Press and the Dallas Morning News contributed to this report.
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