Democratic Candidate Arrested After Heated Confrontation at Texas Redistricting Hearing

A dramatic scene unfolded at the Texas State Capitol on Thursday during the first public hearing on a controversial effort to redraw the state’s congressional districts—just four years after the last maps were finalized.

Organized by the Texas House Redistricting Committee, the five-hour session drew a diverse crowd from across the state, all voicing sharp opposition to the proposed changes. According to CBS Austin, not a single speaker backed the redistricting plan.

The session’s climax came when Isaiah Martin, a Democrat running for Congress in District 18, was physically removed by Capitol security after refusing to yield the podium once his two-minute speaking limit had expired.

“The sergeants will remove the speaker,” announced Committee Chairman Cody Vasut as Martin resisted officers and shouted, “History will not remember you kindly!”

Online jail records indicate that Martin was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety. He now faces multiple charges, including criminal trespass, resisting arrest, and interrupting a legislative proceeding. His brother later posted on social media that Martin could remain detained for up to three days.

Republican Governor Greg Abbott defended the mid-decade redistricting, claiming it’s a necessary step to address constitutional issues raised by the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ has reportedly flagged four Democrat-led, minority-majority districts for potential legal concerns.

However, many at the hearing questioned the governor’s justification.

“We are entitled to fair representation,” said Gabriel Rosales, state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). “It’s your obligation to make sure our diversity is reflected in who represents us in Washington.”

Observers noted that Republican lawmakers on the committee often appeared disengaged—seen browsing phones or chatting during public testimony—leaving Democratic members visibly frustrated.

“We’ll see whether this process involves genuine listening or is just a kangaroo court,” remarked Democratic Rep. Jolanda Jones.

Notably, no proposed maps were presented during the hearing, nor was it made clear which districts could be altered.

Governor Abbott’s office claims the process was initiated in response to a July letter from the DOJ that flagged District 33 and three others for possible racial gerrymandering.

But some at the hearing alleged political motivations, pointing to former President Donald Trump’s public call for Texas Republicans to create five new GOP-friendly districts ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Texas currently holds 38 congressional seats, 25 of which are held by Republicans.

“Have you seen any draft maps submitted by Trump’s allies or the White House?” asked Democratic Rep. Chris Turner. “No,” the committee chair replied.

Civil rights leaders warned the proposed redistricting would dilute minority voting power, even though communities of color have been the driving force behind Texas’s population surge.

“If this plan is adopted,” warned Texas NAACP President Gary Bledsoe, “white-majority districts would make up 84 percent of congressional seats. Add five more, and that number jumps to 87 percent. That’s a loud message to Black and Brown Texans: you don’t matter.”

Other critics said the plan could splinter communities and hurt local economies.

“We don’t answer to Washington,” declared conservative activist Alicia Perez-Hodge, speaking out against the plan. “Not now, not ever.”

Angela Valenzuela of LULAC labeled the initiative “irresponsible and politically manipulated.”

“You’re being played, badly,” she said. “Have some dignity.”

Two more public hearings are scheduled. The next will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. at the University of Houston, followed by another Monday at 5 p.m. at the University of Texas at Arlington.