Former President Barack Obama connected via Zoom with a group of Texas Democrats in an effort to counteract a district change bill from the state.
Texas Speaker Gene Wu expressed gratitude to the 44th President on Thursday, stating, “We are uplifted by your words and will remain dedicated to defending democracy across Texas and the nation.”
Reports indicate that the Thursday meeting focused on issues around apprehending lawmakers and ensuring their return to Texas, with Wu reportedly mentioning that a Zoom call was held at a “private location” due to “Republican threats and surveillance.”
Over 50 Texas House Democrats departed the state on August 4, effectively denying the quorum necessary to pass Republican initiatives aimed at redrawing Congressional districts in favor of the GOP. This strategy could increase their majority by five seats by 2026.
According to reports, Obama remarked to the group:
We are facing a systemic assault on democracy, and we cannot simply stand by. Your bravery and actions are crucial, similar to the reactions seen in California, indicating how states can battle this year’s gerrymandering.
I hope you leave feeling uplifted. This issue won’t be resolved quickly and will require Americans to grasp their interests and recognize that we cannot take freedom and democracy for granted. Your efforts have helped shape this narrative, and I appreciate it.
The former president participated in the call alongside former Attorney General Eric Holder, who leads the party’s constituency committee.
This session adds to an ongoing situation involving district changes in Texas. Previously, President Trump advocated for such measures after alleging that illogical district boundaries were imposed on several states, contributing to more Congressional districts.
Typically, zoning adjustments occur every decade post-census or due to court rulings. Texas Republicans aim to implement changes in 2025 after the five-year period.
Democratic leaders like California’s Gavin Newsom and New York’s Kathy Hochul have described Texas as a “threat to democracy” and accused it of attempting to “rig” the 2026 elections.
Newsom has hinted at potentially redrawing California’s map to create more Democratic districts as a response to the Texas initiative.
However, analysis suggests that Democrat-led states have already significantly disenfranchised Republican voters through gerrymandering.
For instance, in California, Trump garnered 38% of the vote, yet Republicans hold only nine out of 52 Congressional seats, which translates to just 17% of representation. This has provided Democrats a substantial cushion in Congressional power relative to actual voter preferences.
Recently, the Texas Senate approved a map for the redistricting, yet the state House lacks the required numbers since many Democrats are still absent.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called for a second special legislative session, urging Democrats to return. He stated, “We will not retreat from this struggle. I’m calling for a gathering to complete this work. I’ll use all necessary measures to ensure Texas gets the results it needs.”
