New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she would begin exploring options to redraw congressional maps in the Empire State as Texas Republicans push ahead with plans to reconfigure district lines and secure five extra House seats next year.
Hochul said she would meet with Texas state Democratic lawmakers after dozens of legislators fled the Lone Star State on Sunday evening to block Republicans from voting on their latest map proposal this week. The New York governor announced she would speak with other Democratic leaders about actions the party can take to counteract a new map in Texas — possibly including redrawing maps in other states to guarantee Democratic gains in the 2026 midterm elections.
“If Republicans are willing to rewrite these rules to give themselves an advantage then they’re leaving us no choice. We must do the same,” Hochul said on Monday. “I’m exploring with our leaders every option to redraw our state congressional lines as soon as possible.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has been suggesting for months retaliatory measures to thwart Texas Republicans’ efforts, reiterating those plans on Monday.
“Democrats are going to respond from coast to coast and at all points in between to this effort to steal the midterm elections,” Jeffries told CNN. “Perhaps Donald Trump and Mike Johnson and Republicans in Washington and Texas thought that Democrats would not respond. We’re going to respond forcefully, aggressively and relentlessly.”
Texas Democrats also traveled to blue states such as Illinois and Massachusetts, which have similarly been at the center of discussions to redraw congressional maps before next November. With their absence, the Texas state Legislature cannot reach a quorum, the minimum number of lawmakers required to conduct business.
That puts the state government at a standstill during its emergency session to address the deadly floods that killed at least 135 people last month. Republican lawmakers sought to tie the newly proposed maps to emergency relief to ensure its passage, pushing Democrats into a corner as they oppose any changes to the state’s congressional districts.
The Texas state Legislature revealed the new boundaries last week, altering the map to create new districts in areas that President Donald Trump carried by more than 10 points in the 2024 election. Most of the new districts are in heavily Hispanic areas, a crucial demographic shift that helped secure Trump’s victory in November — a risky gamble if Hispanic voters lean back toward Democratic candidates next year.
Democrats’ departure from the state has not been received well by GOP leaders, with top state Republicans threatening to remove the lawmakers from office if they do not return for the legislative session.
“These Democrats have absconded from their responsibility,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told Fox News on Monday. “I believe they have forfeited their seats in the state legislature because they are not doing the job they were elected to do.”
It’s not clear how long Democrats plan to remain out of state, but each of the lawmakers face daily fines of $500 for withholding a quorum. Abbott warned that anyone who tries to help pay those fines in support of the political boycott could be faced with felony charges — as well as any lawmakers who accepted funds.
“It would be bribery if any lawmaker took money to perform or to refuse to perform an act in the legislature,” Abbott told the outlet. “And the reports are these legislators have both sought money and offered money to skip the vote, to leave the legislature, to take a legislative act.”
Abbott gave the lawmakers an ultimatum, telling the Democrats if they returned to the state by 3 p.m. local time they would not face any fines. So far, the state lawmakers have not shown any signs of backing down — and Democratic governors in states where the legislators have fled have publicly supported their efforts.
“We’re going to do everything we can to protect every single one of them and make sure that — ’cause we know they’re doing the right thing, we know that they’re following the law,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a press conference on Sunday.
Republicans currently hold a 219-212 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, a historically slim margin that has often made it difficult for the party to advance legislation even with a Republican trifecta. With control of the White House and Senate, Republicans have enjoyed total control of Washington — something that is at risk next November.
Historical trends show that the party of the sitting president typically loses control of the House during midterm elections. If Democrats manage to flip the House, it would deal a massive blow to Trump and likely thwart his agenda for his final two years.
But Democratic threats of retaliation may be easier said than done. Each state has different processes for adjusting congressional districts, and it may not be feasible to make major changes ahead of the 2026 elections.
For example, California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened to redraw maps, has strict laws on redistricting that could make it difficult for Democrats to adjust boundaries before next November. State law restricts mid-decade redistricting, meaning the state would likely need to pass a constitutional amendment to allow for any changes.
Even then, state law requires California to utilize an independent redistricting commission to draw maps, which requires a lengthy vetting process and is designed to ensure little political leverage.
Democrats could look at other states for new maps, but many have similar restrictions on mid-decade changes — possibly throwing a wrench in plans to alter electoral outcomes.