Texas splitting from the United States? Crazier things have happened.
After the United Kingdom's vote to break away from the European Union this week, at least 261,000 people have allegedly expressed interest in the Lone Star State pulling a similar move. Forget about the Brexit, the next hot topic might be a "Texit."
"It is past time that the people of Texas had their say on our continued relationship with the Union and its sprawling Federal bureaucracy," said Daniel Miller, president of the Texas Nationalist Movement, in a statement Friday.
Miller's group is "formally calling on" Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to support a "Texit" vote for Texans.
The Texas Nationalist Movement claims more than a quarter of a million people have signed its online petition pledging to vote for Texas' independence. Texas has about 26 million residents, meaning a successful "Texit" vote would be a steep uphill climb.
Texans can also take control of our destiny.
It's time to become a self governing Nation.
https://t.co/QCWrEl5bBk pic.twitter.com/pAcNRahumV— TNM (@TexasNatMov) June 24, 2016
Miller's resolve has been strengthened by England's Brexit movement, however. He told Australia's News.com.au this week, "It's not a matter of 'if,' but a matter of 'when'."
"Texans in large numbers are seeing that it is indeed possible for large countries to have an adult conversation on self-government and have their voices heard," Miller told the news outlet.
His movement at least has an impressive following across social media. As of Friday, the Texas Nationalist Movement had more than 208,000 followers on Facebook. That's about 1,000 more Facebook followers than both the Texas Democratic Party and Republican Party of Texas combined.
Clint Davis is a reporter for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
