Texas Dems Still Holed Up Out of State as Walkout Over Redistricting Heats Up

Nearly a month after skipping town to block a GOP-led redistricting vote, a group of Texas House Democrats — including Houston Rep. Gene Wu — are still posted up in Illinois, racking up bills, rallying supporters, and digging in for what could be a prolonged political standoff.

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What's the Situation?

It all started when the Democrats left Texas to prevent a vote on new congressional maps pushed by Republicans and backed by President Donald Trump. The proposed changes could give the GOP a stronger grip on the U.S. House ahead of next year’s elections. Without enough members present, the Texas House can’t legally conduct business — and that’s exactly what Democrats are counting on.

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Wu told the Associated Press:

We’re getting a lot of small-dollar donations, and that’s going to be used to help keep this thing going

Covering the growing costs has become a full-blown fundraising effort. Wu and the Texas House Democratic Caucus are tapping supporters across the state and country. Contributions have poured in through a donation website, with suggested gifts ranging from $25 to $2,500.

Where are the Donations Coming From?

Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke’s political group, Powered by People, has chipped in, while national Democrats and progressive orgs have helped out with publicity and organizing. But not everyone’s happy about it — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is now investigating potential bribery, claiming Democrats are benefiting from a “financial influence scheme.”

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Wu fired back, calling the accusation “monstrously stupid.”

Abbott Calls in the Court

Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott is pushing the state’s highest court to remove Wu from office and has called on the Texas Rangers to investigate the walkout. House rules also allow for daily fines of $500 per absent lawmaker, which can’t be paid from office budgets or campaign accounts.

Still, Democrats say they’re committed to staying out as long as it takes.

Rep. James Talarico said:

This fight is for the people, and it should be funded by the people.

While the bill continues to grow at the hotel outside Chicago — including a bomb threat scare earlier this week — Rep. John Bucy III summed it up:

There’s too much at stake here to be worried about those things. Our hotel bills seem so minor compared to what we’re trying to do — protect democracy.