E.L. Alford’s tenure in the Texas Senate lasted just 343 days. There are no photographs of him in the legislative archives. Even his full name is difficult to come by.

But Alford played a huge role in the dramatic legislative session of 1870, one that started with a walkout over a militia bill and ended in the demise of his Senate career. The governor got involved, the attorney general was consulted and the fight almost ended up in the courts.

Fast forward 155 years. On Sunday, House Democrats staged a walkout to block a redraw of the state’s congressional maps that would hand the GOP five additional seats. The governor is involved , the attorney general consulted, and the fight is already in the courts .

At issue then and now: whether quorum breakers can retain their elected seat

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