Gov. Greg Abbott previously asked the court to expel Rep. Gene Wu, the House Democratic leader. Paxton disputed the governor’s authority to make the request.

Reversing course, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits in courts in Illinois and Texas in response to House Democrats absconding six days ago to prevent a vote on Congressional redistricting.

In a significant escalation of his spat with Texas Democrats who left the state to stop a controversial redistricting vote, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has asked the Texas Supreme Court to remove Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, from office.