A majority of Democrats in the Texas Senate walked out of the chamber Tuesday to protest the chamber’s congressional redistricting map as it advanced to the Texas House. Nine of the Senate’s 11 Democrats left just as Republican Sen.

Democrats who are eyeing Texas’ Senate seat next year have upped their ad spending and media appearances while embracing clashes with Republican leaders.

Texas Senate Democrats staged their exit from the chamber Tuesday just before state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, moved to open up debate on the redistricting bill. The nine Democratic members slowly filed out of the chamber in a single file line.