Former President Barack Obama joined a call with Texas House Democrats on Thursday, commending their decision to leave the state in opposition to Republican-backed congressional maps that could give the GOP several new seats, according to The Hill.
Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder spoke with the Democrats as they continued their protest from outside Texas. The lawmakers departed nearly a week earlier to prevent Republicans from reaching a quorum needed to advance a House map that could add five GOP-leaning districts ahead of the 2026 elections.
Obama “lauded their fight against the Republican efforts to enact an even more egregious gerrymander in Texas ahead of the midterms,” his spokesperson said. “He made clear that they are part of a bigger effort to protect free and fair elections and commended them for inspiring others with their actions.”
Holder, who chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, also participated in the virtual meeting. Obama is scheduled to headline a fundraiser for the group next week, the spokesperson added.
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu thanked Obama in a post on X, writing, “We are encouraged by your words and remain committed to fighting for democracy, in Texas & across the country. #txlege.”
The Democrats have said they will return to Texas only if the Legislature adjourns on Friday as planned and California proceeds with its own maps to counter Republican gains in Texas.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows has pledged to adjourn the session on Friday.
On Thursday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a special election for voters to approve a new congressional map intended to offset the Texas plan. He described the situation as a “five-alarm fire for Democracy.”
Texas Democrats accuse former President Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott of pursuing voter suppression through mid-decade redistricting, a move seldom undertaken outside the standard census cycle.
Republicans maintain that the proposed map reflects population changes and adheres to legal requirements.
The dispute highlights the growing national battle over redistricting, with both parties seeking to gain advantages ahead of the next election cycle.
