The Texas Supreme Court on Friday refused to declare that Democratic lawmakers who briefly fled the state in 2025 to block a vote on new congressional maps , which were pushed by Donald Trump, had vacated their office . This ruling by the all-Republican court dealt a significant blow to Governor Greg Abbott and state Republicans in their efforts to severely punish the more than 50 Democrats who bolted for New York, Illinois and Massachusetts in a bid to stop a vote on the maps during a special legislative session. The Texas redistricting effort kick-started cascading efforts by both major parties across the country to redraw crucial voting maps ahead of this year's midterm elections. Republicans, pushed by Trump, actively seek to hold their slim majority in Congress as Democrats vigorously try to counter them. Those efforts have gained new intensity after the U.S.…