Greg Abbott Asks Court to Expel Top Democrat

“Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) asked the state’s high court Tuesday to remove a top Democratic lawmaker from office, arguing he had abandoned his job by leading dozens of his colleagues out of state to block a GOP plan to redraw the state’s congressional map ahead of next year’s midterm elections,” the Washington Post reports.

“The move sharply escalated a standoff that has mushroomed into a national political battle over congressional districts, with red and blue states threatening to redraw their maps to benefit their side in elections that will determine control of the U.S. House.”

Texas Tribune: “The Supreme Court of Texas is entirely Republican, and Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, appointed in January, was formerly Abbott’s general counsel.”