After departing Texas for Illinois to obstruct a legislative vote on a Republican redistricting plan, state House Democratic leader Gene Wu sought a way to amplify his voice and perspectives to a national audience. He utilized his campaign funds to purchase a microphone for news conferences. For the significant hotel expenses incurred by Wu and approximately 50 colleagues, he turned to resources from his chamber's Democratic Caucus.
Texas Democrats are now soliciting donations to sustain what may evolve into weeks, or even months, of a walkout, aiming to thwart a legislative agenda favored by the Republican majority. This maneuver follows President Donald Trump’s call for Texas, along with other GOP-controlled states, to redraw their congressional districts in order to bolster Republican control of the U.S. House in the upcoming midterm elections.
Wu indicated that they are receiving numerous small-dollar donations, stating, “We’re getting a lot of small-dollar donations, and that’s going to be used to help keep this thing going.” A political group, Powered by People, led by former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke, provided financial assistance to the Texas House Democratic Caucus to manage upfront costs. O'Rourke has been actively engaging Democrats across red states to rally support and drive further donations.
While the amount contributed by Powered by People remains undisclosed, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the launch of an investigation into whether O'Rourke’s group engaged in bribery related to financial support for the Democratic lawmakers who left Texas.
In response, O'Rourke has framed the investigation as a fundraising opportunity, undeterred by the threats. The walkout by Democratic lawmakers has hindered the Republican majority from achieving quorum, with hopes to extend the disruption until the special legislative session's end on August 19. Governor Greg Abbott could, however, call for immediate subsequent sessions, resulting in a potentially extended and costly standoff.
The Texas Democrats face significant out-of-state lodging and dining expenses and potential fines of $500 for each day of absence, which cannot be covered by their office budgets or political contributions. Texas operates a part-time Legislature, with lawmakers receiving a monthly salary of $600, plus $221 for daily expenses while in session.
On a recent trip to Boston, Democratic state Sen. Jose Menendez highlighted the ironic situation, noting that the daily fine for quorum-breaking members is nearly equivalent to their entire monthly legislative salary. “They need your prayers, they need your thoughts and they need you to get behind them,” Menendez urged supporters.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has welcomed the Texas lawmakers but has not provided financial support, as Rep. James Talarico mentioned they did not seek such funding from him. “We’ve already been inundated with donations from across the state of Texas, from across the country, just regular people donating $5, $10, $15,” Talarico commented, affirming that their cause should be financed by the people, not billionaires.
The House Democratic Caucus has initiated a website to attract donations ranging from $25 to $2,500, with a suggested default amount of $250. Following the recent actions, Abbott has requested the state’s highest court to remove Wu from office and directed the Texas Rangers to investigate possible bribery linked to the financing of the walkout.
Wu dismissed the bribery allegations as “monstrously stupid,” asserting that no member is leaving Texas due to motivations surrounding campaign contributions. Before their departure, Wu confirmed contacting allies to ensure resources for their cause were available, equating the situation to candidates seeking support before launching campaigns.
The Democratic National Committee has also provided assistance in communications, organizing, and data analytics. Experts argue that while the expenses for having most of the delegation out of state will be considerable, the implications of Trump’s desired redistricting far outweigh these costs. Democrat officials remain resolute, expressing that protecting democratic processes justifies the financial strain.
The Texas Democratic lawmakers continue to gather and strategize at a hotel and conference facility outside Chicago, remaining undeterred despite a temporary evacuation due to a bomb threat. Rep. John Bucy III emphasized that the significant stakes involved in the situation overshadow concerns about their expenses, stating, “Our hotel bills seem so minor compared to what we’re trying to do—to protect democracy.”
