Texas Lawmaker Faces Rising Heat Amid Anti-Communism Bill and Racist Attacks
If you’ve been following Texas politics lately, you’ve probably heard about the controversy surrounding Rep. Gene Wu, a Houston Democrat and leader of the Texas House Democrats. His story is not just about politics — it’s personal, historic, and, frankly, heartbreaking.
Back in late May, as the Texas House was deep into a heated debate on a new bill aiming to teach school kids about the dangers of communism, Wu took the floor and shared a deeply personal story. He spoke about how his family suffered under the Chinese Communist Party during the Cultural Revolution. His father, just 13 years old at the time, was sent alone into the fields with a stark choice: “farm or die.” Luckily, his father survived, but many others didn’t.
That story hit home for Wu — and it should for anyone listening.
Why this matters:
-
The bill in question wasn’t just a typical policy proposal. Wu worried it could stigmatize and stereotype immigrants, especially those who fled communist countries like his own family.
-
Yet, despite his history, Wu has faced relentless accusations from some Republicans who claim he’s a “communist spy” or that his loyalties lie more with China than Texas or the U.S.
-
These baseless attacks have been amplified on social media and in political circles, becoming a glaring example of the racial and xenophobic undertones in some political discourse today.
A Lawmaker Under Fire
Wu’s critics have not held back. They’ve used his Chinese heritage as a weapon against him, casting doubt on his patriotism. And the backlash escalated when he joined fellow Texas Democrats in a quorum break — basically walking out to block a GOP-backed congressional map they saw as unfairly increasing Republican seats in the U.S. House.
That move made Gov. Greg Abbott go after Wu personally, filing a petition to remove him from office for “abandoning his duties.” Meanwhile, the ugly rhetoric didn’t stop.
One particularly harsh comment came from State Senator Mayes Middleton, a Republican from Galveston and candidate for Texas Attorney General. On the very day Democrats prevented the House from reaching quorum, Middleton posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Is Gene Wu back in China?”
That tweet sparked immediate outrage.
Democrats called Middleton’s remark racist and disgraceful. But instead of backing down, Middleton doubled down. He accused Wu of “fighting to put China first and Texas second,” even suggesting, with a sneer, that the Chinese Communist Party would welcome him back for a “refresher course on Marxism.”
The Bigger Picture: Rising Anti-Asian Sentiment
Wu’s case is unfortunately not isolated.
According to Asian American advocacy groups like the Asian American Democrats of Texas, the attacks on Wu represent a broader, dangerous trend of unchecked anti-Asian rhetoric — especially in politics. Amatullah Contractor, a leader in the group, pointed out that:
“There was a time when a racist comment, especially in public settings or testimonies, would be swiftly corrected by elected officials. But now, when some elected leaders make these comments themselves, it opens the floodgates.”
This atmosphere of hostility and silence from the state’s “Big Three” leaders — Governor Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows — only fuels the problem. None of their offices responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Personal Toll and Political Fallout
Rep. Chris Turner, a fellow Democrat from Grand Prairie and longtime colleague of Wu’s, knows firsthand the toll this takes. He has sat beside Wu on the House floor since 2013 and calls him a close friend.
Turner praises Wu’s resilience, saying:
“Gene has strength and grace that many of us wouldn’t have if put through the same tests. But it’s infuriating, unacceptable, and those responsible should be ashamed. Sadly, shame seems to be missing in today’s Republican party.”
The abuse against Wu isn’t limited to isolated comments. It’s echoed in the rhetoric of prominent GOP figures.
-
Abraham George, Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, has repeatedly referred to Wu as “CCP Wu.”
-
Bo French, the Tarrant County GOP Chair — who himself has been under fire for anti-Semitic remarks — posted online hinting at investigating Wu’s family ties, writing that “the CCP connection is strong I bet.”
Contrast With Past GOP Responses
The troubling silence and complicity starkly contrast with past Republican reactions to similar incidents.
Take 2019: Former state Rep. Rick Miller, a Republican from Sugar Land, dropped out of his reelection race after backlash for saying his primary opponents were targeting him because they were Asian, in a district with a significant Asian population.
At the time, Gov. Abbott withdrew his endorsement of Miller, condemning his remarks as “inappropriate and out of touch with the values of the Republican Party.”
And even more recently, former Republican Rep. Jacey Jetton criticized Shelley Luther, a GOP activist-turned-legislator, when she proposed banning Chinese students from enrolling in Texas universities.
Why This Debate Matters Beyond Texas
The clash in the Texas House over teaching about communism is really about more than history lessons or curriculum changes. It touches on:
-
How America reckons with its immigrant stories.
-
The dangers of racial and ethnic stereotyping in politics.
-
The line between legitimate political disagreement and harmful xenophobia.
For Wu, a man whose family escaped the very oppression the bill aims to warn against, these attacks hit home deeply.
He told fellow lawmakers:
“When people call me a communist spy, I get offended — because my family has been victims of communism, and we fled to this country as fast as possible.”
The Road Ahead
The controversy is far from over.
As Republicans push to pass their maps and policies, Democrats are fighting back — even at the risk of personal attacks and political threats. The Texas Capitol is now a battleground not just for policy but for the soul of political discourse in the state.
Here are some key takeaways from this saga:
-
The danger of racializing politics: Using a politician’s heritage as a weapon undermines democracy.
-
The importance of leadership: When top officials don’t call out racism, it emboldens it.
-
The power of stories: Wu’s family history reminds us that behind every political stance, there’s a human story.
-
Voter awareness: Texans should be aware of how these debates affect communities and representation.
Login