New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was joined on Monday by Texas Democrats who left the state to prevent a vote to redraw U.S. House maps.

The decision by Texas Democrats to flee the state has ratcheted up tensions and started a new phase in the redistricting war around the country. Democrats from the Lone Star State’s Legislature fled to Illinois,

Hochul’s proposal to change the state’s Congressional maps, which would require an amendment to New York’s constitution, follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to redistrict Texas to create five additional GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans currently hold a narrow 219-212 House majority, with four vacancies.