There’s a new trend in Democratic politics: when you’re losing, leave. When the vote isn’t going your way, grab your laptop, head for the airport, and vanish until the opposition caves. This month, Texas Democrats resurrected that tactic in a dramatic — and frankly embarrassing — walkout over redistricting.

The GOP-controlled legislature introduced a map that, unsurprisingly, favored Republicans. This is politics. Redistricting has been a partisan tug-of-war for as long as states have drawn lines on a map. But rather than fight it through debate, amendments, or even the courts, Texas Democrats bolted. They crossed state lines to deny the chamber the quorum needed to pass the plan.

Sound familiar? It should. Back in 2021, they pulled the same stunt over election integrity laws, flying to D.C. to pose for photo ops with national Democrats. The media hailed them as heroes then, and they’re trying the same spin now. But here’s the problem: you can’t claim to be defending democracy while actively breaking its processes.

These legislators were elected to represent their constituents — that means showing up, not skipping town. The voters didn’t send them to Austin to collect per diems from hotel rooms in Oklahoma or New Mexico. They sent them to do the hard work of governing, even when they’re in the minority.

The double standard is staggering. If Republicans fled to avoid a vote, the same networks praising these Democrats would be screaming about constitutional crises and dereliction of duty. But when Democrats do it, it’s suddenly “brave.” Texans aren’t fooled. They see this for what it is: political cowardice dressed up as resistance.

Redistricting is messy, and yes, sometimes unfair. But it’s part of the democratic process. If these lawmakers truly believe in their cause, they should stand and fight in the chamber — not hide until the clock runs out.