Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks to the media at a press conference in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Hunt, Texas, U.S., July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
With Texas Republicans abruptly finding themselves shut out of every statewide race up for election in 2026, some members of the party are scrambling to find a solution to cling to as much power as they can.
One state representative, Brian Harrison, took to X to beg outgoing Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to strip emergency powers from his incoming Democratic successor, Gina Hinojosa.
"We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it by using the remaining ten weeks to restore separation of powers and limit the emergency powers that Governor-Elect Hinojosa is set to inherit, which would allow her to destroy liberty in Texas by executive fiat," Harrison wrote. "I’ve warned since I was first elected that NO governor, Republican or Democrat, should have unchecked emergency powers!"
This outburst triggered a wave of fury from commenters on social media.
"Texas Republicans’ response to a historic a-- whooping is to subvert the will of Texas voters to protect the status quo," wrote Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett. "Texans shouldn’t stand for this b-------."
"Republicans just can’t help themselves," strategist Dennis Porter wrote. "This behavior is exactly why they lost power. They haven’t learned anything."
"Republicans are already learning the exact wrong lesson after their gerrymandering power grab imploded in their face," wrote youth activist Micah Erfan.
"Republicans are going to try to Roy Cooper Gina Hinojosa," wrote journalist Eric Michael Garcia, referencing Republican legislation that stripped powers away from the former Democratic North Carolina governor.
"Oh, suddenly the little fascists want power checks? Too bad, lame duck," wrote policy consultant Adam Cochran.
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