Isaiah Martin, a 27-year-old Democratic candidate running for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, was forcibly removed from a redistricting hearing and arrested at the Texas State Capitol this week after refusing to yield the floor while criticizing Republican lawmakers.
Martin attended the Texas House Congressional Redistricting Committee hearing on July 24, where he denounced the GOP-led map redraw as “illegal gerrymandering” and accused lawmakers of chasing endorsements from President Trump.
“Many of you that are Republicans — and I’m looking at you — you understand the game. You gotta get Trump’s endorsement,” Martin said. “That’s the name of the game to be a Republican nowadays. And you know very clearly that Trump told every single one of you that he needs five seats.”
Martin exceeded what appeared to be a two-minute speaking limit, prompting Rep. Cody Vasut to direct the sergeant-at-arms to remove him. Footage shows Martin continuing to speak as his microphone was cut and officers physically pulled him from the room — with one man appearing to lie on top of him to restrain him. As he was dragged out, Martin shouted at the lawmakers: “You have no shame!” and “History might not remember you at all!”
Martin was arrested around 7 p.m. and charged with disrupting a public meeting, resisting arrest, and criminal trespassing, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). He was booked into Travis County Jail and held for over 24 hours before being released. His campaign later confirmed that all charges had been dropped.
“This happened because I had the audacity to speak the truth,” Martin said in a statement following his release. “And you know what? I’d do it again for the people of Texas. Because strongly worded letters won’t get us out of this mess — it takes courage, even when it comes with consequences.”
The redistricting proposal, reportedly added to the agenda by Governor Greg Abbott under pressure from the Trump administration, has sparked concerns of mid-decade gerrymandering aimed at bolstering Republican gains in the 2026 midterms. While rare, the Texas Constitution does allow the redrawing of congressional maps outside of the usual 10-year census cycle.
As of now, Martin remains undeterred in his campaign and says he plans to keep speaking out: “They can try to silence me, but I won’t stop fighting.”
