We have something to be concerned about. After the gerrymandering fight and all we have done for the country, one of our members has said, essentially, “Enough. I’m tired of this”. We were hoping that our people would stick with it, especially with the blue wave building, but no. We really can’t blame him. We can, however, hope that more of the “other” party will choose to leave, too. Everyone is seeing the writing on the wall. From Raw Story:
A Texas House Democrat has announced he will not seek re-election just a day after the Supreme Court gave the state the green light to use congressional maps backed by President Donald Trump that aim to delete up to five Democratic seats. Rep. Lloyd Doggett announced his decision Friday afternoon on X, after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a new Republican-drawn congressional map on Thursday, which would pit him against Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) in the reconfigured district covering much of Austin.
We should have expected the damn Supreme Court to say Sure, you can do this. It’s to the point that if something goes to the Supreme Court, forget it, as it will always choose Trump’s “side.” Except for our 3 intelligent, liberal justices, it’s always Trump. Apolitical is a thing of the past, fading into the distance to be forgotten. The others don’t give a damn about the *law*, they care about keeping Trump happy and CYAs and gifts.
“I am most appreciative for the opportunity to have represented our community in public office for most of the last 50 years — appreciative for the support and encouragement of so many neighbors as well as people from McAllen to San Antonio, from San Marcos to La Grange, who at various times have made my continued service possible — whether in CD10, CD25, CD35, or currently CD37,” he wrote in a statement shared to X. Doggett added that he will “continue working with the same urgency and determination as if next year were my last, which in public office it will be.”
This is heartbreaking. Democrats are fighting hard for the people of this country in so many ways. But sometimes, it seems we need to know when to pull the plug. Holy cow, has Rep Doggett put his time in! Nearly 50 years is one hell of a run. He deserves time off, that’s for sure. Think of all the changes he’s seen! It’s nearly impossible to imagine, because *so* many changes (including in the Supreme Court).
“After that, I will seek new ways to join my neighbors in making a difference in the only town I have ever called home,” he said. Doggett’s announcement comes after he said in August that he would not seek reelection if the map held up in court. He agreed with Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan’s scathing dissent that the high court failed in its duty. “What all of us must do now is redouble our efforts to ensure that the failings in our country brought on by Trump and his enablers do not consume our democracy, replacing it with autocracy,” he said. Furthermore, he agreed with challengers in the case who called the maps a “racial gerrymandering.”
Racial gerrymandering, indeed. They tried to pretty it up, but it’s nothing else. All in the name of their tin-can god with feet of clay. We definitely can’t stop now. We need to keep going, to keep showing what we can do. Those who are retiring would like that. Godspeed, Rep Doggett. We wish you the best.
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money. I promise, among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
Doggett is 79. Casar is 36. So at least this should please those who want the aged to make way for youth. I am not one of them necessarily – some elder statesmen have very young thoughts – look at Bernie. But being 80 myself, I would definitely say he is entitled to retire and I wish him all the best.
The Constitution requires only that a Representative be a resident of the of the State, not of the District he/she is elected to represent. Some states have laws that do require a Representative to live in his/her district. My state, Colorado, is not one of them. That is why Boebert was able to run for a different district without moving her residence. I had not realized that was the case and had asked my secretary of State, who graciously explained. I wonder whether Texas has such a law? If so, we might be able to save some other representatives, like for instance Jasmine Crockett, with similar district changes. If no, then not, of course.