Former President Barack Obama met virtually with a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state to prevent a vote on a Republican-backed redistricting bill, calling their actions “inspiring,” according to statements from the lawmakers and an Obama spokesperson.
Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, posted on X Thursday thanking Obama for speaking with the group via Zoom.
Wu said the lawmakers were “encouraged” by the former president’s words and “remain committed to fighting for democracy, in Texas & across the country.”
Thank you President @BarackObama for joining @TexasHDC members via Zoom and standing with Texas Democrats today!
We are encouraged by your words and remain committed to fighting for democracy, in Texas & across the country. #txlege pic.twitter.com/Xf78oYBKmG
— Gene Wu (@GeneforTexas) August 14, 2025
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ABC News reported that an Obama spokesperson confirmed the meeting, stating that the former president “lauded their fight against the Republican efforts to enact an even more egregious gerrymander in Texas ahead of the midterms” and told them they were part of “a bigger effort to protect free and fair elections.”
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The spokesperson added that Obama commended the lawmakers for “inspiring others with their actions.”
The meeting came amid an ongoing standoff in the Texas Legislature over a redistricting bill supported by President Donald Trump that would likely give Republicans five additional congressional seats.
More than 50 Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives left the state to deny the chamber a quorum, blocking the bill from advancing.
Texas Republican leaders have responded by filing legal action to compel the absent lawmakers to return and have warned they could face removal from office if they continue to refuse participation in the legislative process.
In a statement Thursday, Texas House Democrats said they would only return if the legislature agrees to adjourn without plans to reconvene or if California adopts its own redistricting legislation to “neutralize” the GOP seats gained in Texas.
Obama has voiced support for the Texas Democrats before.
In an August 5 post on X, he wrote, “We can’t lose focus on what matters – right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next year’s midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy.”
We can’t lose focus on what matters – right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next year’s midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy. https://t.co/lBGo5aNbyp
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 5, 2025
Wu told ABC News that the group was “especially excited” to have Obama address them directly.
“Having President Obama speak with us and support us is proof that when Texas House Democrats stand up and fight back, we don’t stand alone — we have the support of Democrats at every level,” Wu said.
“When Republicans attack voting rights in Texas, they’re attacking the foundation of our democracy everywhere.”
Wu also said the meeting was held via Zoom because of what he described as “Republican threats.”
He claimed the lawmakers were meeting from an undisclosed location to avoid “surveillance,” adding, “They know their racial gerrymandering scheme is falling apart, so they’re resorting to intimidation tactics.
But President Obama’s support shows the whole country is watching — and Texas House Democrats won’t be silenced by bullies.”
Separately on Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a plan to counter the Texas redistricting proposal by having his state redraw its own congressional districts to offset the additional Republican seats Texas could gain.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, responded to Newsom’s statement by saying that if California removes all of its Republican districts, Texas should take similar action, which he said would result in a net gain for the GOP.
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