Democrats Refusing To Return Home?
Austin, TX — The showdown over Texas redistricting has reached a fever pitch as Democrats remain in hiding to block Republicans from passing a new congressional map that could hand the GOP five additional seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats Refuse to Return to Capitol
Texas State Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) said Thursday that his group will not return until Republicans give up their push to secure the extra seats. “Our group is committed to ending this corrupt special session,” Wu told CNN, blaming Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Republican leadership for “holding all the cards.”
Their absence has paralyzed legislative work in the Lone Star State, despite public pressure for lawmakers to return and do their jobs.
Trump: GOP ‘Entitled’ to More Representation
The fight drew national headlines after President Donald Trump backed the Texas GOP’s efforts during an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box.
Trump stated that Republicans deserve significantly more representation in California due to what he described as heavy gerrymandering there. He added that Texas presents a chance to gain five additional seats, praising the state’s governor and its people, and noting that he won Texas with the highest vote total in its history — asserting that the GOP is rightfully entitled to those extra seats.
Democrats Seek Shelter in Illinois
Democrats argue the move violates the Voting Rights Act and should only be done after the U.S. Census. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) claimed Trump is trying to “steal” seats and has promised to shield Texas Democrats who fled to his state from being returned.
“Our state troopers protect everyone in Illinois,” Pritzker said. “If you haven’t broken federal law, you can’t be arrested here.”
Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) has called on the FBI to help bring the runaway lawmakers back so the special session can proceed.
Conservatives Say Fight Is About Fair Representation
For conservatives, the battle is about restoring balance and ensuring fair representation for Texas voters who overwhelmingly backed Trump. The GOP-controlled legislature sees this as a critical moment to secure the state’s political future before 2026.
