Governor Greg Abbott has escalated a political showdown over redistricting by pledging to call “special session after special session” until fleeing Democratic lawmakers return.
“But I’ll tell you this also, Democrats act like they’re not going to come back as long as this is an issue,” Abbott said. “That means they’re not going to come back until like 2027 or 2028, because I’m going to call special session after special session after special session with the same agenda items on there.”
More than 50 Democrats left the state to block a Republican-led redistricting proposal that could increase GOP control of Texas congressional districts.
The absence of House Democrats has stalled the legislature by preventing a quorum, halting all pending legislation, including flood relief efforts. In response, the Republican-controlled House approved civil arrest warrants for the absent members. Abbott filed a lawsuit to remove House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu, accusing him of abandoning his constitutional duty.
Abbott argues the redistricting is justified both legally and politically. He cites a recent federal ruling that minority groups can’t form a coalition to challenge maps. He claimed current lines trap Republican voters in Democrat-held districts. Trump won Texas with 56% of the vote in 2024.
Critics call the proposed map a partisan gerrymander. Wu, speaking from Illinois, defended the walkout.
“Denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office; it was a fulfillment of my oath,” he said.
Abbott denied the new map is overly partisan, pointing to states like Illinois and Massachusetts where Republicans hold few or no congressional seats. He also dismissed threats of retaliation from blue-state governors, noting they lack the same redistricting authority.
The standoff has become a test of political will, with Abbott calling the Democrats “quitters” and “cowards.” Meanwhile Democrats argue they’re resisting what they see as a corrupt process.
With no resolution in sight, the legislature remains frozen, and tensions in Texas politics continue to mount.
