Democrats Leave Texas to Stall Redistricting Vote

The Dallas Examiner reports that over 50 members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus departed the state on Sunday after staging a walkout during a special legislative session, effectively obstructing the two-thirds quorum required for legislative activity. This action was aimed at blocking Governor Greg Abbott's alleged "rigged redistricting scheme."In an email to the media, Gene Wu, Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, noted, “We’re leaving Texas to fight for Texans. We refuse to let disaster relief be held hostage by a gerrymander.” House Democrats characterized the walkout as a necessary measure to counter the governor's perceived failure to prioritize crucial disaster relief after recent floods.Following their exit, Democratic leaders received support from counterparts in Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts. They expressed that their actions were driven by a moral imperative to defend democracy and protect the voices of marginalized Texans against a politically motivated map designed to undermine representation for Black and Latino voters.