West Side pastors greeted two Texas State Democratic legislators Aug. 12 at the monthly meeting of the Leaders Network. Texas state representatives Ron Reynolds and Lauren Ashley Simmons discussed why they left Texas to prevent the legislature there from reaching a quorum to vote on congressional redistricting.
The legislators called the redistricting attempt a race-based disenfranchisement of Black and Hispanic voters which violates the Federal Voting Rights Act. They said this redistricting effort is outside the normal once-in-a decade time frame for redistricting and comes at the request of President Donald Trump. Trump has said the GOP is “entitled” to five additional seats in Congress from Texas. The goal is to maintain Republican congressional control in the upcoming 2026 midterm election. Redistricting normally happens early in a decade and after new census data is announced.
Reynolds said, “if they can do it in Texas, what will stop them from doing it anywhere else?”
Cong. Danny Davis, (D-7th) also attended the meeting held at the Columbus Park Refectory. Davis said, “Chicagoans are joining with our brothers and sisters because it’s not just about Texas. It’s about America, democracy, and the principles and practices of representation.”
Texas Democratic State Representative Barbara Gervin Hawkins, with fellow Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds behind her at left, speaks at Leaders Network meeting in the Columbus Park Refectory on Tuesday August 12, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Texas Democratic State Representative Ron Reynolds, with fellow Texas State Representavie Barbara Gervin Hawkins behind him at right, Congressman Danny Davis at left and Austin Community members David Cherry, Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch, Rev. Janette Wilson, Rev. Ira Acree and others, speaks at Leaders Network meeting in the Columbus Park Refectory on Tuesday August 12, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Congressman Danny Davis with Texas Democratic State Representatives Ron Raynolds and Barbara Gervin Hawkins at Leaders Network meeting in the Columbus Park Refectory on Tuesday August 12, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Texas Democratic State Representatives Ron Reynolds and Barbara Gervin Hawkins at Leaders Network meeting in the Columbus Park Refectory on Tuesday August 12, 2025 | Todd Bannor
Simmons emphasized the disproportionate impact the proposed redrawn map would have on Hispanic and Black Texans.
She said that under the gerrymandered map, it would take only 423,000 white residents to elect a congressman as opposed to 1.2 million Hispanic voters or 2 million Black voters.