The battle over redistricting in Texas has escalated into a dramatic standoff, drawing attention from coast to coast.
What began as a partisan fight over congressional maps has now become a national spectacle, with Democrats taking bold actions to resist what they call an unfair Republican power grab.
Nicole Collier Stands Her Ground
Nicole Collier, a seven-term Democratic legislator from Fort Worth, has become a central figure in the protest.
After fleeing Texas earlier this month to try to block the Republican-led redistricting, she returned only to continue her fight—this time inside the State House.
Collier even slept at her desk in defiance of what she considers a partisan gerrymander that would favor Republicans in the 2026 elections.
Bathroom Conference Call Goes Awry
Collier’s activism took an unusual turn during a conference call with high-profile Democrats, including DNC Chair Ken Martin, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Senator Cory Booker.
Speaking from the Capitol bathroom, Collier criticized the redistricting plan as a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
Mid-call, however, she was informed that leaving the Assembly floor—even to take the call from a bathroom—could be considered a felony.
“Sorry, I have to leave. They said it’s a felony for me to do this.
Apparently I can’t be on the floor or in a bathroom,” Collier said off-camera, before abruptly ending the call.
The exact law she might have violated is unclear, but the protest highlights ongoing tensions over rules that require Democrats who fled the state to be escorted by police if they leave the State House again.
National Figures Speak Out
Booker and Newsom quickly rallied in support of Collier.
“Let me tell you something, Rep. Collier in the bathroom has more dignity than Donald Trump in the Oval Office,” Booker remarked.
Newsom nodded in agreement, adding, “There you go.”
Both leaders condemned what they saw as an attempt to silence a Black woman fighting for voting rights, with Newsom calling the restrictions “outrageous.”
Redistricting Gains Republican Momentum
The Texas House approved the new congressional maps in an 88-52 party-line vote on Wednesday, a move praised by former President Donald Trump as a potential path for Republicans to gain as many as 100 seats in Congress.
The maps now await approval from the GOP-controlled state Senate and the signature of Governor Greg Abbott.
Democrats see the Texas vote as a rallying point. California lawmakers are planning to approve a new map of their own, creating five Democratic-leaning districts, though it would require voter approval in November.
Protesters Face Safety Concerns
Collier’s defiance has drawn public support, but not without risk.
After a threat was posted online urging violence at the Capitol, the Texas Department of Public Safety evacuated the building for safety reasons.
Despite the threat, Collier’s stand has earned her national recognition, including a call from former Vice President Kamala Harris.
“You are among those that history will reveal was among the heroes of this moment, so you just stay strong,” Harris told her.
Legal Challenges Loom
Collier has filed a lawsuit against Texas, citing “illegal restraint by the government” for the restrictions placed on her movement.
She told CBS News, “I refuse to comply with this unreasonable, un-American and unnecessary request.”
As the Texas House finalizes the map amendments, the stage is set for a high-stakes redistricting clash between Texas and California, signaling a nationwide battle over political power in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections.
