Texas leaders are intensifying their legal campaign against Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to prevent the passage of a new congressional map that favors Republicans. Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have filed dueling petitions with the Texas Supreme Court, demanding judicial action against the 49 Democrats, including Rep. Gene Wu, who left Texas to block the redistricting plan. Abbott’s petition alleges that the Democrats violated their constitutional duty by breaking quorum and obstructing legislative functions. Paxton announced plans to issue judicial orders on August 8 to mandate the return of the absent lawmakers to the legislature before the speaker’s deadline.
Under Texas law, two-thirds of the House members must be present for the legislature to conduct official business. The Democrats exploited this rule by relocating to states like New York and Chicago, where they could avoid Texas authority. This action is part of a broader Republican effort to fortify their control over the U.S. House through aggressive redistricting in states they lead. The new map, which creates five additional Republican-leaning districts, is seen as a strategic move to maximize GOP influence in the 2026 midterms, which are expected to serve as a referendum on the current administration.
The backlash from Democrats in other states has been swift. California Governor Gavin Newsom, for instance, threatened to dismantle the state’s independent redistricting commission if Texas proceeds with its plan. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared that the nation is in a “war” over redistricting, vowing to explore “every option” to redraw state boundaries. Bruce Spiva of the Campaign Legal Center emphasized the importance of national legislation like the Fair Representation Act to prevent such partisan gerrymandering, noting that the current situation is unprecedented as no president has ever called for mid-decade redistricting to benefit their party.
Rep. Gene Wu has defended the Democrats’ actions, stating that denying the governor a quorum was a fulfillment of his oath, not a rejection of his duties. Spiva highlighted how the current scenario underscores the need for a unified national approach to redistricting, as some states have already adopted fair maps while others are attempting to counteract those reforms through aggressive tactics. The situation is intensifying, with both sides preparing for a prolonged and politically significant battle over the shape of electoral districts in the U.S.