Texas Senator Mayes Middleton faced criticism after posting a tweet questioning whether Representative Gene Wu had returned to China, amid a Democratic walkout intended to halt Republican redistricting plans.
Middleton’s tweet, which asked, “Is Gene Wu back in China?” drew immediate backlash from Democratic lawmakers. State Senator Molly Cook responded, saying the remark undermined claims of non-racist gerrymandering efforts.
The controversy coincides with Governor Greg Abbott filing an urgent petition with the Texas Supreme Court to remove Wu from office. Abbott accused Wu and fellow Democrats of neglecting their responsibilities by leaving the state to block the vote. The filing also raised suspicions that Wu may have received benefits for avoiding the session.
Abbott warned on August 3 that if Democrats did not return for the session scheduled on August 4, he would initiate actions for their removal, citing the lack of quorum as a disruption to state business.
Representative Wu defended his absence, stating his allegiance is to the constituents of House District 137 and to the constitution. He said the walkout was a constitutional measure to oppose what he described as a racist redistricting initiative, organized by the governor and a former president.
Wu criticized Abbott for using legal avenues to suppress dissent and reaffirmed his commitment to his constituents and Texas.
