Texas Republicans have launched a controversial mid-decade redraw of the state’s congressional map that could net the GOP five more U.S. House seats.
To stop it, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers quietly boarded charter flights on Sunday and decamped to Illinois, denying the Texas House the two-thirds quorum it needs to do business.
The standoff reprises, and escalates, decades of partisan brawling over political lines in the Lone Star State.
Here’s everything you need to know about the gerrymandering saga, what it means, and what could happen next.
Surprise Mid-Decade Map Draw Sets Off Firestorm
Redistricting is normally a once-a-decade affair, yet Governor Greg Abbott called a special session solely to push a new map backed by former President Donald Trump. Republicans say population shifts justify the move; Democrats call it a “power grab.”
What Does ‘Gerrymandering’ Mean, Anyway?
The term “gerrymander” dates to 1812, when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry approved a salamander-shaped district to help his party. Critics mashed “Gerry” and “salamander” together — and a political verb was born.
Texas Has Been Here Before
Walkouts over maps are a Texas tradition: the 1870 “Rump Senate,” the 1979 “Killer Bees,” and the 2003 flight to Oklahoma over Tom DeLay’s map all tried (and ultimately failed) to stop redistricting bills.
The Numbers Game: How Many Seats Are at Stake?
Under today’s map, Republicans hold 25 of Texas’ 38 seats. The new proposal would likely drive that tally to 30, shoring up the GOP’s narrow U.S. House majority ahead of 2026.
Breaking Quorum 101: Why 50-Plus Democrats Flew North
The Texas House cannot vote unless two-thirds of its 150 members are present. By leaving the state, Democrats make it impossible for state troopers to compel their return and halt every item on the special-session agenda.
Why Illinois? Sanctuary, Spotlight and Strategy
Chicago offers friendly political turf, national media attention and, crucially, no Texas jurisdiction for arrests. Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker publicly welcomed the delegation, amplifying the drama.
Republican Counter-Moves: Fines, Arrest Threats and “Hunt-Down” Talk
House rules now allow $500-a-day fines. Governor Abbott has threatened removal from office, while Attorney General Ken Paxton vows to “hunt down” absent members. That fiery rhetoric that may play better on cable news than in court.
The Trump Factor and National Stakes
Trump’s public push for extra seats underscores how Texas could decide control of Congress. Democrats in states like California and New York are already hinting they’ll answer Texas with aggressive maps of their own, which may be why Democrats are still a major favorite to win control of Congress during the 2026 mid terms, according to prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.
How the Supreme Court Opened the Door
The 2019 ruling in Rucho v. Common Cause declared partisan-gerrymandering claims “political questions” beyond federal courts, emboldening both parties to redraw lines whenever they have the votes.
What History Tells Us About Walkouts
Past quorum breaks rarely last more than six weeks; governors can call unlimited 30-day special sessions until members return. In 2021, Democrats fled to Washington, D.C., but the voting bill they opposed eventually passed.
What Happens Next? Three Likely Scenarios
- Quick Compromise: Negotiations yield minor tweaks and Democrats return within days.
- Attrition: A handful of Democrats slip home, restoring quorum; the map passes largely unchanged.
- Prolonged Stalemate: Democrats stay out for multiple sessions, forcing courts to adjust filing deadlines and risking voter confusion ahead of 2026.
How to Follow the Saga
The Texas Tribune’s redistricting tracker, the House livestream, and local outlets in Austin and Chicago will update daily. Expect court challenges the moment a map is signed and plenty of more political theater before the ink dries.
