Texas Democrats plead for donations to extend their walkout and block Trump’s redistricting plan
As the walkout stretched on, Democrats raised small-dollar donations to stay out of state — and Abbott asked the court to remove Wu and ordered a bribery probe into how they were paying for it.
With the walkout stretching toward weeks, Texas Democrats appealed for small-dollar donations to cover hotels and travel while they stayed out of state to block the GOP map. “We’re getting a lot of small-dollar donations,” Wu told the AP, “and that’s going to be used to help keep this thing going.”
Abbott asked the state’s highest court to remove Wu and ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate possible bribery over how the walkout was funded — after a group led by Beto O’Rourke helped cover early costs. Wu, a former prosecutor, dismissed the theory.
The [bribery] suggestion is monstrously stupid. No member is leaving because they might get a campaign contribution. — Rep. Gene Wu
Help Gene win District 137.
Stories like this one are why this seat matters. The campaign runs on neighbors who chip in and knock on doors — both take about a minute to start.
Keep reading
- ‘We’re here to save the damn country’: Gene Wu launches the New Southern StrategyJun 28, 2026 · WFAA — Inside Texas PoliticsRead →
- Texas leader Gene Wu sounds alarm on rising Asian hateJun 8, 2026 · AsAm NewsRead →
- Texas Supreme Court rejects Abbott effort to remove Democrats from officeMay 15, 2026 · The New York TimesRead →