Two Republican candidates, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives and a GOP activist filed a lawsuit calling for the disqualification of almost 127,000 ballots cast in Democratic stronghold Harris County, Texas in what many view as an attempt to suppress votes to help President Donald Trump.
But not all members of the GOP in Texas are on board with the move to negate the votes of over 100,000 fellow Texans. The Speaker of the Texas House—considered to be the most powerful member of the Texas GOP—Joe Straus came out in strong opposition to the move.
He took to social media to denounce his fellow Republicans' efforts.
On Facebook, he posted:
"The lawsuit attempting to disenfranchise more than 100,000 voters in Harris County is patently wrong. All of us who believe in the core ideals of this country should want more votes counted and more voices heard."
"While it may be too late for this election, the Republican Party needs to return to a place where we win with ideas and persuasion rather than trying to intimidate and silence our fellow citizens."
"I hope all elected statewide leaders in the Texas Republican Party will stand up against these desperate tactics."
Speaker Straus also shared his views on Twitter.
The lawsuit attempting to disenfranchise more than 100,000 voters in Harris County is patently wrong. #txlege pic.twitter.com/rk6eWXgPrK
— Joe Straus (@SpeakerStraus) November 1, 2020
While some on Facebook felt Straus should do more...
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
...most appreciated his efforts,...
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
...although some felt the GOP was a lost cause.
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
Speaker Joe Straus/Facebook
The reactions were much the same on Twitter.
Guess who will be silent? Cowards @johncornyn and @tedcruz
— Nathan Lewis (@nlewis1111) November 1, 2020
Thank you, but the current Republicans in power in Texas are encouraging this.
— Aimee, just Aimee. (@WhatAimeeWrites) November 1, 2020
If there's one thing that should unite us, it's our right to vote. Shameful how the GOP has become the anti-democracy party because they can't win with ideas (or lack thereof) alone.
— Justin Gordon (@Justin_G0rd0n) November 1, 2020
I mean, you can say the republican party NEEDS to return to a place of winning with ideas, but if they are already choosing to win through crime and cruelty, why do you think they'd have any interest in going back?
The only way they'll stop is it they are forced to
— John (@HPumperton) November 1, 2020
The Texas Supreme Court ruled against the GOP's efforts, but the federal court has yet to issue their ruling.
UPDATE, 11/2: U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, known for his conservative rulings, found that Republican plaintiffs don't have standing, subsequently striking down their attempts to have drive through ballots dismissed.
BREAKING: Texas federal judge rules that plaintiffs don't have standing, 127,000 ballots will be counted
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) November 2, 2020
The votes will count.