Texas independence campaigners are celebrating after 10 signatories to the Texas Nationalist Movement's (TNM) Texas First Pledge, which includes a vow to back a referendum on secession from the United States, were elected to the state Legislature.
"Our momentum is undeniable," TNM President Daniel Miller told Newsweek. "We're closer than ever to securing a vote on Texas independence."
Texan nationalists want the Lone Star State to break away from the United States and become a fully independent nation, as it was briefly from 1836-46. A survey conducted earlier this year for Newsweek by Redfield & Wilton Strategies found that 27 percent of registered U.S. voters supported Texas breaking away from the Union, while 36 percent were actively opposed.
Signatories to the pledge vow that they will "vote for legislation and resolutions to call for a vote on Texas reasserting its status as an independent nation in every term that I am elected until such a referendum is held."
If the referendum produces a pro-independence majority, they also "pledge to work towards a fair and expedient separation of Texas from the federal government placing the interests of Texans first."
According to the TNM, 10 signatories to the pledge were elected to the Legislature on Tuesday, up from none when the previous session broke up. They are: David Lowe in House District 91, Shelley Luther in District 62, Keresa Richardson in District 61, Brent Money in District 2, AJ Louderback in District 30, Wesley Virdell in District 53, Janis Holt in District 18, Andy Hopper in District 64, Steve Toth in District 15 and Mitch Little in District 65. All 10 were elected as Republicans.
A number of other Texas First Pledge signatories were elected to other offices, including Atascosa County constable, Brazos County commissioner and Smith County commissioner.
"The people of Texas sent a clear message last night: Texas independence isn't a slogan, it's our future," Miller said. "We've grown to 190 total Texas First Pledge signers, with our legislative delegation expanding in this election.
"The political establishment said this movement couldn't grow, but they forgot that if you want something done, tell a Texan it can't be done. With 65 current officeholders now committed to putting Texas first, our momentum is undeniable and we're closer than ever to securing a vote on Texas independence.
"The political establishment tried to peddle the propaganda that a candidate couldn't support the right of the people to vote on TEXIT and win election. That lie was shattered last night."
In March 2023, the Texas Independence Referendum Act was introduced to the Texas House by then-state Representative Bryan Slaton, though it failed to get past the committee stage. It called for a referendum on "whether or not the state should investigate the possibility of Texas independence."
In June, the Republican Party of Texas included a referendum on Texas independence as part of its 2024 Legislative Priorities and Platform document. It would ask whether Texas "should reassert its status as an independent nation."
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