Former President Barack Obama is throwing his support behind Texas Democrats as the battle over redistricting continues to develop in the Lone Star state.
The former president participated in a call with Texas House Democrats on Thursday, Aug. 14, and expressed his support for the delegation as most of its members remain out of state in an attempt to stymie their GOP colleagues’ effort to pass a new congressional map. Their redrawing of congressional boundaries mid-decade, and not during a census year as is the norm, could add up to five more Republican seats to Congress in the run-up to the 2026 midterm elections – if the measure passes.
In an Aug. 14 post on X, Obama praised the Texas Democrats, building on his initial public condemnation of Republicans’ push to add five new GOP congressional seats more than a week earlier.
The former Democratic president has taken a more subdued role in politics since leaving office, and again since a brief return to the national spotlight to support his party in the 2024 election.
“I am so proud of the @TexasHDC and the work that they’ve done,” Obama wrote, resharing a post from the Texas House Democrats thanking him for his support. “Their willingness to put themselves on the line to highlight the current assault on our democracy has set an example for what all of us have to do.”
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Obama first jumped into the fray in an Aug. 5 post, calling Texas Republicans’ push to add five new GOP congressional seats “a power grab that undermines our democracy.”
The state’s battle has ballooned into a multi-state skirmish since Democrats fled their home state Aug. 3, blocking Republicans’ attempts to vote on the new maps. In the days that followed, Texas’ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered arrest warrants for the Democrats who fled, and Trump suggested the FBI may have to force them back to the state. Abbot said in a statement earlier in the week that he intended to call for a second legislative session, after Texas’ House and Senate signaled both chambers would adjourn on Friday, Aug. 15, due to the lack of a quorum prompted by the absent Democrats.
Democratic lawmakers, such as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, have taken a confrontational stance toward the proposed map, with several governors hosting the Texas Democrats after they fled. Hochul said Democrats will “fight fire with fire” and counter Texas Republicans’ planned redistricting, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Aug. 14 that his state would hold a special election Nov. 4 to ask voters to approve a mid-decade redistricting plan that would likely advantage Democrats in the deeply blue state.
Somewhat of a map-drawing arms race has ensued, with Republican-led states such as Florida and Ohio looking to redistrict in response.
‘Stand up and fight’
In their post thanking Obama for attending the meeting, Texas Democrats shared a photo of the president on a large screen in front of more than a dozen attendees.
I am so proud of the @TexasHDC and the work that they’ve done. Their willingness to put themselves on the line to highlight the current assault on our democracy has set an example for what all of us have to do. https://t.co/jA2giVOMW1
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 15, 2025
“Your words reminded us why we broke quorum: Democracy isn’t self-executing. It requires us to stand up and fight for it,” the caucus said in its post. “We’re honored by your support.”
Public opinion on gerrymandering
In a recent national poll, public opinion about redrawing maps, referred to as gerrymandering, appeared mixed.
More than two-thirds said partisan gerrymandering should not be allowed in the YouGov/Economist poll conducted Aug. 9-11. Yet when asked if it should be allowed in retaliation to another party redrawing its maps, 35% said it would be ok, and 30% said no. Another 36% said they were not sure.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Obama slams Texas Republicans in statement on redistricting battle
