Former President Barack Obama praised Texas House Democrats for their efforts in blocking Trump-backed redistricting maps during a virtual meeting on Thursday (August 14).
According to ABC News, Obama joined a private Zoom call with Texas Democrats who fled the state to prevent the legislature from reaching the quorum needed to vote on new congressional maps. The proposed redraw would give Republicans as many as five additional House seats. Democrats have argued that redistricting will suppress voters of color and is a blatant power grab orchestrated by Trump to maintain control in Washington.
Obama praised Texas Democratic lawmakers on Thursday for protecting voting rights and fighting against partisan gerrymandering.
The former president “lauded their fight against the Republican efforts to enact an even more egregious gerrymander in Texas ahead of the midterms. He made clear that they are part of a bigger effort to protect free and fair elections and commended them for inspiring others with their actions,” an Obama spokesperson told ABC News in a statement.
Texas Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the state’s House Democratic Caucus, said the meeting with Obama was powerful and showed that “we don’t stand alone.” Wu noted that the group had to meet virtually from an undisclosed location due to “Republican threats and surveillance.”
“They know their racial gerrymandering scheme is falling apart, so they’re resorting to intimidation tactics,” he said.
During the call, former Attorney General Eric Holder, chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), also updated the caucus on plans to push back against GOP-led map redrawing efforts in other states.
Obama is set to continue to spotlight redistricting battles while headlining an NDRC fundraiser on Martha’s Vineyard later this month alongside Holder and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
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