ICYMI: In Houston, DNC Chair Ken Martin Joins State Leaders to Fight Against Republicans’ Power Grab Arrow

As Texas Republicans launch their plan to politicize critical emergency aid as they attempt to force through a partisan gerrymandering scheme to insulate themselves from the political consequences of their disastrous policies, Democrats are fighting back against Trump and Republicans' blatant power grab. Last Friday, DNC Chair Ken Martin traveled to Houston to meet with Texas House Democratic Leader Rep. Gene Wu, other Texas Dems caucus leaders, and allied groups to gear up for the fight ahead. In Texas, Chair Martin stood firm on the DNC's commitment to work alongside state leaders to defend against Republicans' brazen anti-democratic attacks and ensure fair representation for every Texan.

Take a look at some of the coverage below:

In Print:

NBC News: DNC chair heads to Texas to strategize against the GOP's redistricting ploy

[Adam Edelman, 7/18/25]

"Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin will travel to Houston today to meet with Texas Democrats to discuss how to best fight back against Republican efforts to redraw the state's congressional maps, a DNC source familiar with the planning told NBC News.

"Martin is slated to meet with Texas state House Democratic Minority Leader Gene Wu, other members of the Texas Democratic legislative caucus and Democratic-aligned groups in the state to discuss strategies in battling those efforts, the source said. Martin was invited by Texas Democrats to strategize on how they can 'gear up to fight back against Republicans' blatant power grab,' the source said.

"In a statement to NBC News, Martin said, 'If Texas Republicans want a showdown, we will give them a showdown.' …

"'Right now, Americans all across the country are thinking of the victims of the terrible floods in Texas. You know who isn't? Governor Abbott. He's taking orders from Donald Trump to rig the midterm elections. We're not going to stand for it,' Martin added."

Punchbowl News: Johnson and Jeffries: The July Leader Look

[Jake Sherman, Ally Mutnick, John Bresnahan, 7/18/25]

"DNC Chair Ken Martin will be in Houston to meet with Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu and other leaders of the state's Democratic caucus. This comes as GOP Gov. Greg Abbott has the legislature redrawing the Texas congressional map to add new Republican seats. Texas Democrats are considering fleeing the state to deny a quorum. In a statement, Martin said that he is supportive of California Gov. Gavin Newsom being ready to 'punch back.'"

Austin American-Statesman: DNC chair to meet with Texas Democratic leaders ahead of GOP redistricting

[John C. Moritz, 7/18/25]

"The chairman of the Democratic National Committee plans to meet Friday with state Rep. Gene Wu, the leader of his party's caucus in Texas, and others to discus plans for battling the Republican-led, mid-decade redrawing of the state's congressional boundaries.

"'If Texas Republicans want a showdown, we will give them a showdown,' DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement. 'Right now, Americans all across the country are thinking of the victims of the terrible floods in Texas. You know who isn't? Governor Abbott. He's taking orders from Donald Trump to rig the midterm elections. We're not going to stand for it.'"

Houston Chronicle: Texas House Democrats unveil PR, fundraising blitz to battle redistricting

[John C. Moritz, 7/18/25]

"Interest in Texas redistricting is not limited to the Lone Star State. Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was in Houston on Friday to meet with state House Democrats Caucus Chairman Gene Wu. In a statement before the meeting, Martin was combative.

"'If Texas Republicans want a showdown, we will give them a showdown,' he said in a statement. 'Right now, Americans all across the country are thinking of the victims of the terrible floods in Texas. You know who isn't? Governor Abbott. He's taking orders from Donald Trump to rig the midterm elections. We're not going to stand for it.'"

ABC News: Texas Republicans might redraw congressional maps. Democrats plan to strike back

[Brittany Shepherd, Tiffany Li, Oren Oppenheim, and Olivia Osteen, 7/18/25]

"Democrats are going on offense regardless. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of House Democrats, made a verbal commitment to Texas Congressional Democrats to invest six figures to support digital ads and other actions to pressure Republicans over redistricting attempts, a source close to the committee told ABC News. Martin traveled to Texas on Friday at the invitation of state Democrats to strategize on next steps.

"'If Texas Republicans want a showdown, we will give them a showdown,' Martin said in a statement."

Washington Post: Democrats are willing to play the redistricting game

[Matthew Choi and Dan Merica, 7/21/25]

"Democrats at the national level say they won't sit out this fight. The Democratic National Committee is coordinating with the state's lawmakers to find ways to resist the Republican redistricting plans, with DNC Chair Ken Martin in communication with the state House Democratic Caucus. Martin met with state Rep. Gene Wu and other state Democratic leaders in Houston on Friday as well as virtually earlier last week. He said nothing was off the table to counter Republicans' redistricting efforts."