Texas AG Paxton's 'Voter Fraud' Raids: Latino Activists Fight Back

Oh, buckle up, folks! The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is not playing around with Texas AG Ken Paxton's so-called 'voter fraud' investigations. After a series of raids targeting Latino activists, LULAC is demanding a federal investigation. * because targeting minorities is totally not suspicious, right Ken?*

In a fiery San Antonio news conference, LULAC members and community advocates called out Paxton's Election Integrity Unit. LULAC National President Roman Palomares didn't mince words: "It is evident through his patterns of lawsuits, raids, searches and seizures that he is trying to keep Latinos from voting. LULAC will not stand idly by and allow our members to be targeted, harassed, bullied or intimidated."

Last Friday, Texas LULAC Director Gabriel Rosales revealed that several members were served warrants at their South Texas homes. Nothing says 'election integrity' like early morning raids, huh? LULAC is now seeking help from the feds, specifically Kristen Clarke, Assistant AG for Civil Rights at the U.S. DOJ.

A DOJ spokesperson acknowledged the matter but kept mum on further details. Meanwhile, Paxton boasted about executing search warrants in multiple counties, tied to alleged 'voter fraud' and 'vote harvesting' during the 2022 election cycle. Evidence? Who needs evidence!

Paxton also proudly announced "undercover operations" to bust illegal voter registration drives near DPS offices. Because, you know, helping people register to vote is super shady. Eye roll

Then there's Lidia Martinez, an 87-year-old retired teacher who was raided at 6 AM. Recently home from the hospital, she was greeted by nine officers who wouldn't even let her change out of her nightgown. "What do you want out of me? I'm an old woman," she recalled telling them. "I help the seniors. I help the veterans. What do you want from me?"

Martinez had her laptop, appointment book, cellphone, and voter registration info seized. But sure, Paxton, this isn't about voter suppression.

Gov. Greg Abbott praised voter roll purges, with over 1 million people removed since 2021. Cue the confetti, right? He touted legislation making illegal voting a second-degree felony.

LULAC and Texas officials have clashed over voter registrations before, resulting in a 2019 settlement and congressional probe. Paxton's office refused to cooperate then, too. Shocking, we know.

Now, Democratic Sens. Roland Gutierrez and José Menéndez plan to ask Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for a Senate investigation into Paxton's probes. Gutierrez blasted Paxton for his recent securities fraud case resolution and subpoena-dodging antics, saying, "The net effect of what this does... it is only voter suppression and voter intimidation... He is pointing a gun and intimidating our abuelitas."

Stay tuned, y'all. This Texas voter drama is far from over. Pass the popcorn, please.