WATCH: TEXAS HOUSE DEMS LEADER GENE WU SPEAKS AT DNC MEETING
Texas House Democrats' Fight Against Racist Redistricting Takes Center Stage in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS — The Democratic National Committee honored Texas House Democratic Caucus Minority Leader Gene Wu today at their summer meeting in Minneapolis, recognizing Texas Democrats' courageous stand against Republican attempts to pass discriminatory redistricting maps. At the meeting’s first General Session, Rep. Wu delivered a powerful address highlighting how Texas House Democrats' national mobilization has sparked a nationwide movement to protect voting rights and fair representation.
[WATCH / DOWNLOAD REP. WU'S FULL SPEECH AT THE DNC HERE]
In his address, Rep. Wu shared the inspiring story of Rep. Nicole Collier's 72-hour stand on the House floor, spoke of convincing Democratic leaders to back their fight, and challenged Democratic leaders to find more ways to fight fire with fire. Rep. Wu also thanked DNC Chair Ken Martin and Democratic leaders including Gov. Pritzker and Gov. Newsom for having Texas Democrats' backs during the quorum break. Rep. Wu detailed how Chair Martin personally traveled to Texas before the special session, met with lawmakers during their quorum break in Illinois, and coordinated a massive national response, mobilized 30,000 volunteers, and reached more than 250,000 voters through targeted messaging.
“When Americans are asking what Democrats are doing to resist extremism, our answer must be: ‘everything’,” said Texas House of Representatives Minority Leader Rep. Gene Wu. “While Republicans thought they could easily force through a racist gerrymander in Texas, with national leaders that had our backs, we've built a coalition across America that proves Democrats are ready to fight back when democracy itself is threatened. It was a profound honor to represent Texas House Democrats before the DNC summer meeting to share how our caucus's fight extends far beyond Texas.”
During his remarks, Rep. Wu emphasized that the battle against discriminatory redistricting represents a fundamental fight for America's democratic future:
"What we are doing is igniting the hearts of Americans to remind them that what makes America great is us. It is Americans who make America great and we will go back to that. We will go back to America that we believe in. An America that works for people who work hard and follow the rules. Democrats are going to fight for Americans."