Texas House Democrats who left to block a GOP redistricting plan will return after Friday’s adjournment, as California advances a retaliatory map. The Democrats, who left Aug. 3 to deny the House a quorum, say their return will help build the public record for an expected legal challenge to a map designed to give Republicans five more U.S. House seats.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special election for voters to approve a new congressional map in response to Texas’ plan. He said the move is meant to “defend fair representation” and push back against what he called Trump’s election rigging.
Democratic Caucus leader Gene Wu said their walkout mobilized national opposition to what he called a “Jim Crow” map. Former President Barack Obama is supporting the runaway democrats. In a virtual meeting Thursday, Obama told the Texas lawmakers that their actions were inspiring.
Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to keep calling special sessions until the map passes.