Isaiah Martin, center, a Democratic candidate for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, is confronted by sergeants during a redistricting hearing at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Thursday, after refusing to yield during a heated exchange with Republican lawmakers. (Texas House)
Martin was released from the Travis County Jail Friday, and all charges were dropped. He later posted a video on X thanking supporters and pledging to continue speaking out.
Martin began his testimony Thursday by challenging the legitimacy of the hearing.
"It just seems as if many are just sitting here going with their motions, and it makes sense because the game is rigged," he said.
He then accused Texas Republicans of gerrymandering at Trump’s request.
"You gotta get Trump’s endorsement. That’s the name of the game to be a Republican nowadays," Martin said. "Trump told every single one of you that he needs five seats. ... But the real conversation we should be having ... is that there will be a retaliation for that."
Martin cited blue states he claimed are redrawing maps in response.
"Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she will be gerrymanding Republicans out," he said. "The same thing is gonna happen in New Jersey."
Martin also attacked Texas’ leadership over economic issues.
"We live in a state that is unaffordable ... property taxes going up ... despite the fact that you Republicans have been in office for nearly 30 straight years," he said.
The Texas State Capitol in Austin, where Isaiah Martin was arrested for refusing to yield during testimony Thursday. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Neither Martin’s campaign nor Gov. Greg Abbott's office responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Abbott has previously described the redistricting effort as a compliance move following court rulings against coalition districts.
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In a July 7 letter cited by The Dallas Examiner, the Department of Justice flagged TX‑18 as one of four congressional districts in Texas that may involve unconstitutional racial gerrymandering through "coalition district" configurations.
Trump has publicly called on state lawmakers to secure five additional Republican House seats through redistricting.
The map remains unfinished, with hearings continuing Saturday in Houston and Monday in Arlington.
Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Jasmine is a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse. Stories can be sent to jasmine.baehr@fox.com or to @JasmineSBaehr via X.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-congressional-candidate-dragged-out-arrested-after-explosive-redistricting-hearing-it-shame