A Texas Democrat was forced to abruptly drop off a call with Gavin Newsom in the state Capitol bathroom because it was a felony.

Activists protest the confinement of Rep. Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth) outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Rep. Collier has not left the House floor after refusing to have a DPS escort in order to do so.

Texas State Representative Nicole Collier has emerged as a key figure in the state’s ongoing electoral map controversy.

Former President Barack Obama waded in to support California Democrats tit-for-tat efforts to more extremely gerrymander the states congressional lines "as a responsible approach" to counter Texas efforts at redrawing its own maps.

Texas Republicans mandated that Democratic lawmakers not be allowed to leave the state house without a permission slip and a police escort.

Rep. Nicole Collier gets surprise phone call from former Vice President Kamala Harris during her second night sleeping on Texas House floor.

Texas Democratic state Rep. Nicole Collier on a call with DNC Chair Ken Martin and other senior party leaders told them she had to abruptly leave the call after being warned it was a felony offense. The big picture: Collier was among the Texas Democrats who left the state in a two-week protest over a new congressional map before returning on Monday,