Abbott moves to dismiss Texas Democrats' "ringleader" from office
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Gov. Greg Abbott. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Gov. Greg Abbott acted to remove Texas Democratic Rep. Gene Wu from office after he refused to return to Austin, saying he will also target "derelict Democrat Texas House members" who left the state to stop a Republican-drawn congressional map.
Why it matters: Democrats appeared undeterred by Republicans' threats — despite facing possible political backlash, fines and legal challenges.
- They're using every tool left to block a redistricting plan that could lock in a Republican advantage for years.
State of play: Abbott announced Tuesday evening that he is taking "emergency action" through a filing with the state Supreme Court.
- A 2021 legal opinion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton provides a possible legal basis for removing lawmakers who intentionally break quorum through quo warranto proceedings.
- Abbott gave House Democrats a deadline of 3 p.m. CT on Monday.
What they're saying: "What is at stake here? Nothing less than the future of Texas," Abbott wrote in the filing, which is to strip Wu of his seat.
- "If a small fraction of recalcitrant lawmakers choose to run out the clock today, they can do so for any, and every, regular or special session, potentially bankrupting the state in an attempt to get their way."
The other side: Wu responded to the lawsuit, saying: "Denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office; it was a fulfillment of my oath."
- His statement added: "My purpose has been clear from the start: to serve my constituents and fight for what's right, no matter the cost."
- Wu had during a Monday CNN interview dismissed Abbott's threat to remove absent Democrats as "all bluster."
Catch up quick: Led by Wu, the Democratic Caucus chair, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers left Texas to prevent the GOP from holding a vote in the state House on a new congressional district map.
- The vote — a response to a President Trump-led move to rewrite the districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections — could net Republicans up to five seats in Houston, Austin and Dallas.
- Texas House rules require two-thirds of lawmakers — or 100 out of the 150 elected positions — to be present for any vote. Republicans hold 88 of the seats, Democrats have 62.
The big picture: Texas is at the center of a rare mid-decade redistricting push — part of a broader Republican strategy to reshape congressional maps ahead of a high-stakes election year.
- The effort is being met with forceful resistance from Democrats determined to block what they see as a partisan power grab.
Between the lines: The redistricting vote is part of a special session that was also set to address THC regulation and flood recovery following the deadly July 4 disaster in Central Texas — priorities now sidelined by the walkout.
Reality check: Any removal from office is likely to trigger legal challenges.
What's next: If the Democrats don't return by Aug. 19, the session ends with no votes — and Abbott would need to call another one.
More from Axios:
- What Abbott can do about Texas Dems leaving the state
- Civil warrants issued for Texas Dems who fled state
- The repercussions of Texas Democrats fleeing
- Trump: FBI "may have to" help bring back Texas Democrats
Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout and corrected to note that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's order targets state Rep. Gene Wu specifically (not all of the Democrats who fled the state).