Texas House Democrats have fled the state in an effort to block a Trump-backed redistricting proposal that would help Republicans gain more congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

On Sunday (August 3), several Democratic lawmakers fled Texas and flew to cities like Chicago, Boston, and Albany to stop the redistricting plan from moving forward, per CNN. The moves leaves the Texas House without the two-thirds quorum needed to conduct legislative business.

“We will not be complicit in the destruction of our own communities,” Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said in a statement after landing in Chicago.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a special legislative session to address redistricting amid pressure from Trump to redraw congressional lines initially approved in 2021. Republicans currently hold 25 of Texas’ 38 seats. The new map would effectively give the party an additional five seats. Democrats have argued that the proposed redraw would suppress voters of color and is a blatant power grab orchestrated by Trump to maintain control in Washington.

On Sunday, Abbott threatened to remove Democratic lawmakers from office after they fled the state.

“This is an abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state office,” the governor said. “They took an oath to serve their constituents. Running away to avoid a vote is cowardice.”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a U.S. Senate candidate, echoed Abbott's rhetoric.

“Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately. We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law.”

State Rep. Chris Turner (D-Arlington) defended the Democrats’ actions.

“It is the right of legislators to deny quorum. As Governor Abbott should know, we also have separation of powers in this country. The executive doesn’t get to remove lawmakers just because he doesn’t like how we choose to represent those who elected us," Turner said.

It's unclear how long Democrats can or will stay out of the state. The 30-day special sesssion ends August 19, but Abbott can call additional sessions indefinitely.

“Whatever it takes,” Wu said. “What that looks like we don’t know.”

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