The group of Texas state Democratic lawmakers who fled their state to avoid a redistricting vote were criticized heavily by Republicans, but also received overwhelming positive support from high-ups in their party, like former President Barack Obama.
According to Breitbart, Obama met with the rogue group of Democrats and was described as "cheerleading" them for standing up against the GOP's efforts to redistrict the state, which would likely result in extra Republican seats.
ABC News was the first to report that Obama had met with the group of Dems on a Zoom call, though the location was "undisclosed" as the Dems claim they're under Republican surveillance.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had previously ordered the arrest of the group of Dem holdouts.
Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, was quick to thank Obama for the pep talk and Zoom meeting in an X post.
"We are encouraged by your words and remain committed to fighting for democracy, in Texas & across the country," Wu said after thanking the former president.
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
Breitbart noted:
More than 50 Texas House Democrats fled the state on August 4 to deny a quorum needed to pass a Republican measure that would increase the number of GOP-favorable Congressional districts for representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Should the measure pass, it would likely strong benefit Republicans in the 2026 midterms, which is why Dems are throwing an absolute fit attempting to sabotage it.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder was also reportedly on the Zoom call. Holder heads the party's redistricting committee.
ABC News reported some of the contents of the converstion.
"We can’t let a systematic assault on democracy just happen and stand by and so because of your actions, because of your courage, what you’ve seen is California responding, other states looking at what they can do to offset this mid-decade gerrymandering," Obama reportedly said.
He added, "I want all of you to be returning feeling invigorated and know that you have helped to lead what is going to be a long struggle. It’s not going to be resolved right away, and it’s going to require, ultimately, the American people understanding the stakes and realizing that we cannot take our freedoms and our democracy for granted. You’ve helped set the tone for that, and I’m grateful for it."
Only time will tell if the Dems are able to sabotage the measure or if Republicans will come out on top.
