Democrats who are eyeing Texas’ Senate seat next year have upped their ad spending and media appearances while embracing clashes with Republican leaders.

Texas Republicans tried again to reconvene the House on Monday for a vote on redrawing congressional maps in their party's favor, an effort that already sparked a national political brawl and prompted Democratic lawmakers to leave the state to deny Republicans the quorum they need.

Texas Senate Democrats staged their exit from the chamber Tuesday just before state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, moved to open up debate on the redistricting bill. The nine Democratic members slowly filed out of the chamber in a single file line.