When Texas House Democrats fled the state to block a vote on a controversial redistricting map, Governor Greg Abbott responded by petitioning the Texas Supreme Court to remove their caucus leader, Rep. Gene Wu, from office. Abbott sought an expedited ruling within 48 hours, but the court declined and instead scheduled a hearing for September 4.

Despite the delay, Abbott portrayed the court’s response as a victory, claiming Wu—the “ringleader” of the boycott—is now one step closer to facing legal consequences. Attorney General Ken Paxton, who filed a similar lawsuit against Wu and 12 other Democrats, has since aligned with Abbott after initial disagreements over who held legal authority to pursue such action. Paxton vowed to “hold these cowards accountable.”

The legal action stems from the Democrats’ departure on August 3 to break quorum and prevent passage of a GOP-led redistricting plan. The proposed mid-decade redraw of congressional maps, reportedly driven by former President Donald Trump’s push to gain more Republican seats in the House ahead of the 2026 midterms, has been sharply criticized by Democrats as an act of partisan gerrymandering. However, they’ve largely refrained from criticizing similar tactics in Democrat-controlled states.

Wu’s legal team argues that his absence was a political protest rather than a resignation. They insist he acted in line with his constituents’ interests and note that the Texas Constitution provides for expulsion only by a two-thirds vote of the House. Legal experts also highlight the political dynamics at play, as the Texas Supreme Court is composed entirely of Republicans, most appointed by Abbott himself.

Meanwhile, civil rights groups have filed a separate complaint, alleging the newly drawn maps are racially discriminatory and unconstitutional. The lawsuit supplements ongoing legal challenges to Texas’s redistricting efforts dating back to 2021. A trial date for Abbott’s petition has yet to be set.