Killer Ds

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The Killer Ds are a group of Texas House Democrats who left the state of Texas for Ardmore, Oklahoma during the week of May 12, 2003 and busted a quorum in the House. The Killer Ds left to prevent House consideration of the redistricting legislation that would have benefited Texas Republicans.

The Texas Constitution requires 100 representatives, or two-thirds of the 150-member House, to conduct business in the lower chamber. The absence of 52 House Democrats prevented Republican passage of the redistricting plan during the 2003 regular session.

The moniker "Killer Ds" alludes to the Killer Bees, a group of Texas Senators who busted a quorum during the 1979 regular session to prevent a vote on a presidential primary bill favorable to John Connally.

The "Killer Ds" are: