Nearly 800,000 Texans could have no representation in the U.S. Congress in the upcoming election unless Governor Greg Abbott sets up a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales. Reports about this enraged some Texas residents, who complained that the Republican governor was seemingly not working hard enough to fill the seat and maintain the democratic process.
As reported by NBC, around 800,000 residents of Texas’ 23rd congressional district, which stretches from northwest San Antonio to El Paso, could be left without a representative after Gonzales resigned. Gonzales resigned in April amid a sex scandal and mounting pressure from lawmakers who were considering expelling him from Congress.
More worryingly, more than 130 days later, Abbott has not called a special election to fill the remainder of Gonzales’ term, leaving the seat on track to remain vacant until January.
Texans Rip Abbott Over Vacant Congressional Seat
Residents on Reddit’s r/Texas were not happy with Abbott’s inaction in addressing the problem. One commenter who identified themselves as living in the district wrote: “That district has about 800,000 people, including me, who currently have no representation in Congress.”
Others criticized Abbott, who is running for governor again: “Texans, do you want a loser as your governor… again? Wake up and vote in a way that will actually help you. Elections matter, good folks of Texas.” Someone else wrote: “Y’all act surprised. He’s done this every election he’s been in office. I literally have to check my registration multiple times a year at this point.”
Some residents also complained about what they felt was the Republican Party acting in an undemocratic way on this issue, as well as other election-related ones: “This is how democracy dies. A thousand little cuts in the name of ‘voter integrity.’ Now you need a license with a star on it. We need 30 days to register to vote, and you can’t do it online because we need your signature in ink. The rules we have are designed for the results we get. Maybe this year there will be enough outrage to free Texas.”
Voters in the 23rd Congressional District will choose Gonzales’ successor in the November 3 general election, but without a special election to fill the remainder of his term, the district is on track to remain without a voting member of Congress until the winner takes office in January.
