Former US President Barack Obama met with Texas House Democrats on Thursday, 14 August, commending their decision to leave the state in protest against a Republican-backed redistricting initiative, according to Politico.
During the virtual meeting, Obama expressed his preference for independent commissions over politicians to draw congressional boundaries but acknowledged the necessity of Democratic countermeasures given current circumstances.
Obama highlighted California’s retaliatory redistricting action, formally launched by Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, as a direct consequence of the Texas Democrats’ protest, framing it as a temporary balancing measure. The former president was joined on the call by Eric Holder, former Attorney General and chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC).
This engagement precedes Obama’s scheduled headline appearance at an NDRC fundraiser next week in Martha’s Vineyard, organised in response to Republican redistricting efforts.
The group of Texas Democrats remained in Illinois for nearly two weeks, denying Republicans the quorum needed to pass a new map that would carve out five additional seats, a move reportedly sought by President Donald Trump.
With the special session ordered by Governor Greg Abbott concluding on Friday, Texas Democrats indicated willingness to return home provided the session ends as scheduled and California advances its seat-adding map in retaliation.
During the 30-minute discussion, Obama heard directly from Texas Democratic Representatives Barbara Gervin-Hawkins and Christian Manuel. He specifically praised the lawmakers for enduring significant backlash since their departure, including bomb threats and legal challenges, while standing firm against the redistricting effort.
