Ah, Texas Democrats—brave political warriors who’ve taken the noble step of abandoning their families, their jobs, and their state to dodge the ever-menacing specter of, well, a redistricting plan. In the latest chapter of the Texas political saga, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers have traded in their homes for the luxury of hotel rooms, some as far away as Illinois. Their mission? To deny the Republican majority the quorum it needs to redraw congressional maps in a way that ensures they remain the ruling party.

The sacrifice is clearly enormous. Among the legions of Texas Democrats bravely camping out in far-flung hotels, one can’t help but feel for John Bucy, the 41-year-old legislator from northern Austin. A pivotal moment in any parent’s life, his daughter’s first day of kindergarten, will go on without him. But let’s not dwell on the tears—after all, Bucy has a higher calling: fighting gerrymandering in the name of democracy. He is truly the hero Texas deserves, even if he won’t be there to witness his child taking her first steps in education.

“It makes me scared. It makes me sad,” Bucy confessed in a rare moment of vulnerability. But, really, who could blame him? Being away from one’s children is, of course, a small price to pay for potentially shaping the future of an entire state—perhaps even the nation. After all, who needs the satisfaction of being there for your kid’s milestones when you can hang out in a hotel in Illinois, phone to your ear, fighting an abstract war over district lines?

In fact, many of Bucy’s colleagues seem to have gotten the memo about “duty above all.” After all, what are a few missed birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone moments when you could be making history with a well-timed escape to the great outdoors (or, in this case, the great, nameless hotel)?

Donna Howard, a 73-year-old legislator from southern Austin, took this to the next level when she brought along her 4-year-old grandson, Baker, whose parents aren’t exactly in the picture. Not to worry, though—he’s quickly become the mascot of the Texas Democratic band of exiles. “It’s a village,” said Howard, who undoubtedly appreciates the sheer irony of finding herself surrounded by lawmakers not just struggling to reshape the political landscape but also managing daycare duties on the fly.

In the face of such overwhelming adversity, one could almost feel sorry for these lawmakers—forced to endure each day in close quarters. Surely the stress is unbearable. “Pack a toothbrush, pack hair spray,” jokes Democratic state Rep. Ann Johnson from Houston, who has participated in several mass exoduses from Austin. It’s clear that she’s learned the essentials of survival: personal hygiene, because this could drag on for weeks… or even months. One can almost imagine her wistfully packing her suitcase, chuckling darkly to herself at the thought of just how long she might be away.

But don’t be fooled by these well-worn jokes—the stakes are far higher than personal grooming. This time, it’s not just about redistricting. This is an existential crisis: Will Texas remain a state where the majority of voters get to determine election outcomes? Or will it slip into a Republican supermajority so tight that even Trump could do a victory dance? While the GOP launches threats left and right (a lawsuit here, a threat of arrest there), the Democrats are holding strong—because nothing says “democracy” like denying a quorum and risking arrest to stand up for your constituents. And let’s be real, the Democrats’ morale is growing stronger each day—if not just because of their shared political ideology, but because they now have one hell of a support group.

It’s almost poetic when you consider that many of these lawmakers—who face fines, arrest warrants, and public backlash—are enduring these trials for a cause so noble that it would make you want to pack your bags too. A few bomb threats in Illinois? No big deal. Threats on their lives back home? All in a day’s work when you’re trying to stop a redistricting plan from turning Texas into an impenetrable fortress for one party.

Of course, none of this would be complete without an appearance from Governor Greg Abbott. He’s been putting the pressure on—threatening arrests, demanding that the “runaway” Democrats return to Texas, and, naturally, getting the FBI involved. What’s a bit of drama in the name of securing a political win? Abbott’s relentless pursuit of these rebels makes for great theater—and who doesn’t love a good showdown?

In the end, whether or not these efforts actually succeed in blocking the redistricting is up for debate. Texas Democrats have been using this tactic since 1870, and more often than not, it’s been an exercise in public relations rather than actual policy change. But hey, if nothing else, this prolonged fight will surely make for some incredible campaign ads down the line.

So, let’s raise a glass to these brave souls who, despite the toll on their personal lives, are standing firm in their efforts to stop a redistricting plan that could reshape the future of the state. Whether they succeed or not, their dedication to the cause remains unparalleled—though, admittedly, they might have been just a little bit more prepared with that toothbrush.