The political standoff at the Texas Capitol intensified Friday as Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit seeking to remove 13 Democratic state representatives from office over their continued absence from the House floor.

The move follows Gov. Greg Abbott's earlier request to the Texas Supreme Court to vacate the seat of House Democratic leader Gene Wu.

Paxton's lawsuit expands the scope, targeting lawmakers he says have been especially vocal in refusing to return for a vote on a controversial redistricting plan.

Four North Texas lawmakers named

The 13 lawmakers named in the lawsuit represent less than a quarter of the more than 50 Democrats who remained absent Friday.

Among those targeted are four from North Texas: Mihaela Plesa, Chris Turner, Ana-Maria Ramos, and Jessica Gonzál

See Full Page