JUST IN: Texas Democrats Protesting Gerrymander Evacuate Chicago Hotel After Bomb Threat

(AP Photo/Mark Black)

Texas Democrats protesting Republican-led redistricting in their home state were forced to evacuate a Chicago hotel early Wednesday morning following a bomb threat.

The lawmakers had fled to Illinois to stall a special legislative session, prompting Texas Governor Greg Abbott to issue civil arrest warrants on Monday and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to call on the FBI to assist in tracking down and returning the absent members late Tuesday.

In a joint statement obtained following the evacuation by WUHF Fox Rochester, Texas State Reps. Gene Wu, Ramón Romero, and Barbara Gervin Hawkins confirmed the group had been targeted: “This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred.”

“We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety,” they continued.

In a further statement published by the outlet, State Rep. Ann Johnson issued a scathing condemnation of the intensifying partisan hostility she said was enabled by Republicans.

Early this morning, a bomb threat forced us to evacuate our hotel. Thankfully, no one was harmed. But this is the kind of danger that comes from reckless rhetoric. When the Attorney General tells people to ‘hunt us down,’ it’s not just politics — it’s a threat to our safety.

I’ve had my life threatened before as a chief human trafficking prosecutor. I never expected those threats would come from the Governor or my colleagues in the Legislature. Extremism is dangerous. Continuing to go further and further down the path of incitement and intimidation is dangerous. And this is the perfect example.

We won’t be intimidated. Texas Democrats are united, resolute, and more committed than ever to standing up for the people we represent. This moment demands courage — and we’re ready to meet it.

The standoff stems from Texas Republicans’ push for a mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts, a move Democrats have called a “power grab” aimed at cementing partisan advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Local authorities have not yet released details about the origin or nature of the threat.