Abbott sues to remove Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu from seat

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has sued to remove Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu from his seat amid a battle between Texas Democrats and Republicans over redistricting.

“What is at stake here? Nothing less than the future of Texas. If a small fraction of recalcitrant lawmakers choose to run out the clock today, they can do so for any, and every, Regular or Special Session, potentially bankrupting the State in an attempt to get their way,” the Texas Supreme Court suit from Abbott reads.

Texas House Democrats left the state Sunday to deny Republicans a legislative quorum as part of an effort to stop Republicans from redrawing Texas congressional maps.

“On the ground in Chicago… Fighting for the rights of Texans and all Americans. #txlege,” Wu said in a post on the social platform X later Sunday. 

Wu previously brushed off a threat from Abbott to remove Democrats from the Texas Legislature after they left their state 

“Frankly, Democrats say, ‘Come and take it,’” Wu said in a Monday CNN interview, talking about threats aimed at lawmakers’ seats.

Abbott’s suit argues that the Democrats who left Texas “have abandoned their official duties required by the Constitution, which would allow legislation to pass in a 30-day session that is vital to Texans’ needs, such as flood relief, property tax relief, and public-school reforms.”

“Public records suggest that the absconding Democrats even solicited money to pay the fines incurred for their absence,” the suit continues. “The problem here is that the harm these members have inflicted can continue perpetually. They may return from a quorum break for a few days and then abscond once again if legislation that does not please them is put to a vote.”

The Hill has reached out to Wu and the Texas House Democratic Caucus for comment.

“Lawless Texas Governor Greg Abbott can mimic Donald Trump all he wants, but his baseless lawsuit to remove Texas House Democratic Leader Rep. Gene Wu is not only morally repugnant, it’s a weak attempt at Trump-style intimidation,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a Tuesday statement.