Texas Governor Threatens to Remove Democratic Legislators Who Left State to Block Vote

By ABC News — August 4, 2025

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has threatened to remove several Democratic legislators from office after they left the state to block a vote on redrawing U.S. House maps, a move backed by former President Donald Trump.

Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers have fled the state, some heading to Illinois, Boston, and New York, in a bid to prevent the vote on the redrawn congressional maps. Governor Abbott has warned that if they do not return, he will initiate legal action to remove them from their positions.

This move has intensified the political standoff over redistricting, which is crucial ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The redrawn maps, if passed, could give Republicans a stronger hold on the U.S. House of Representatives, with Trump seeking to secure five additional winnable seats.

Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has publicly supported the Texas Democrats, offering them refuge and a platform to voice their opposition. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has also hosted similar events in his state to show solidarity with the Texas lawmakers.

Republican leaders, including House Speaker Dustin Burrows, have vowed to proceed with the vote regardless of the absence of Democratic legislators. If a quorum is not met, the Republican-led chamber has stated that all options will be on the table.

Democratic lawmakers have not yet confirmed how long they plan to remain away from Texas, but House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu has said, “We will do whatever it takes. What that looks like, we don’t know.”

Legislators are legally required to be present for the House to pass bills, and Abbott has cited a non-binding legal opinion from the state attorney general’s office to justify his threat of removal. He has also accused the Democrats of potentially committing felonies by raising money to pay for fines.

The situation has also delayed votes on critical issues like flood relief and new warning systems in Texas, which were affected by recent catastrophic floods that killed over 130 people. Democrats had previously called for action on these matters before redistricting.

As tensions continue to rise, the standoff between Governor Abbott and the Democratic legislators may set the stage for a high-profile showdown with Illinois Governor Pritzker, who has openly criticized Trump’s policies.

With the mid-term elections approaching, the political battle over redistricting is likely to remain a central issue in the coming months, with significant implications for the balance of power in Congress.