DNC Chair to Discuss Redistricting Strategy with Texas Democrats

The chairman of the Democratic National Committee plans to meet Friday with state Rep. Gene Wu, the leader of his party's caucus in Texas, and others to discuss plans for battling the Republican-led, mid-decade redrawing of the state's congressional boundaries.

"If Texas Republicans want a showdown, we will give them a showdown," DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement. "Right now, Americans all across the country are thinking of the victims of the terrible floods in Texas. You know who isn’t? Governor Abbott. He's taking orders from Donald Trump to rig the midterm elections. We’re not going to stand for it."

READ MORE: Why a walkout on GOP redistricting could be very risky for Texas Democrats

The meeting is scheduled to take place in Wu's hometown of Houston and comes ahead of Monday's start of a 30-day special session of the Legislature, where redistricting is part of a crowded agenda that includes addressing issues related to the deadly July 4 flooding.

Wu did not respond to a phone message seeking comment.

Gov. Greg Abbott, who sets the agenda, included the redrawing of at least some of Texas' 38 congressional boundaries after receiving notice from the U.S. Justice Department that at least four of them improperly relied on racial demographics when they were drawn by the Republican-led Legislature in 2021.

President Donald Trump this week said he wants up to five more GOP-leaning districts in Texas going into the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans now hold 25 of the 38 Texas districts and control both houses of the Legislature.

Democratic state lawmakers have yet to agree on a strategy for countering the Republicans on redistricting, but some have said several options, including a quorum-breaking walkout, are on the table.