Texas House Democrats who fled the state nearly two weeks ago to block a redistricting plan favoring Republicans are expected to return home this weekend.
The Texas House Democratic Caucus announced Thursday that the lawmakers will return once the legislature wraps up a special session on redistricting efforts and California releases its proposal to redraw political maps, both of which are set to happen Friday.
“Texas House Democrats broke quorum and successfully mobilized the nation against Trump’s assault on minority voting rights,” said state Rep. Gene Wu, the House Democratic leader. “Now, as Democrats across the nation join our fight to cause these maps to fail their political purpose, we’re prepared to bring this battle back to Texas under the right conditions and to take this fight to the courts.”
Lawmakers are following the advice of legal counsel to return to the state to “build a strong public legislative record” for an upcoming battle against redrawn maps in Texas, according to a press release from the caucus.
Dozens of Democratic lawmakers left Texas on Aug. 3 to prevent a vote on a redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump. Republicans hope the plan will grow their majority in the House by five seats.
Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) called a special session to discuss the plan in the state legislature. However, the strategy stalled when Democrats fled to Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, and California to break the quorum and prevent a vote from coming to the floor.
The special session is set to adjourn on Friday, according to Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows. GOP leaders will gavel in a second special session shortly thereafter, allowing Republicans to move forward with redistricting efforts.
“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.”
Outrage against Republicans’ plans to redraw district lines in Texas has fueled momentum for similar redistricting efforts favoring Democrats in other states, including California.
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In that state, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has led efforts to redraw political boundaries to help Democrats win five more House seats, which would offset any gains Republicans hope to make in Texas.
On Thursday, the California governor formally launched the state’s redistricting program. A draft of the Democrats’ proposed maps is expected to be released on Friday.
