At right, state Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, rests his eyes during a debate about congressional redistricting in August. At left, Wu and his wife, Miya Shay, head out for a date night after the September conclusion of a special session of the Texas Legislature.

Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, listens to the debate of a congressional redistricting plan at the Capitol in Austin, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.

Gene Wu was at his Houston home when his oldest son stood at the top of the stairs and said, "You're back for real, right? You're not leaving again, right?"

The State Representative for Houston's District 137 had returned from Austin after the end of the regular legislative session in June. It was months before he would join more than 50 Texas House Democrats to leave the state in an

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