Gene Wu (born Eugene Yuanzhi Wu) is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 137 (Houston), serving since 2013. In January 2025, he became Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. Born March 23, 1978, in Guangzhou, China, he immigrated to the U.S. as a child and grew up in Houston’s Sharpstown neighborhood. Before entering politics, he worked as a felony prosecutor in Harris County.
Wu is known for juvenile justice and education reform, authoring legislation against the school-to-prison pipeline and overhauling Child Protective Services (CPS). In August 2025, he led a Democratic walkout to block Republican redistricting, drawing a lawsuit from Governor Greg Abbott to remove him from office. He is married to journalist Miya Shay and has two sons.
Gene Wu Wiki/Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Eugene Yuanzhi Wu |
| Date of Birth | March 23, 1978 |
| Age (2025) | 47 years |
| Profession | Texas State Representative, Attorney |
| Hometown | Guangzhou, China; Houston, Texas, USA |
| Current Residence | Southwest Houston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| @genefortexas |
Gene Wu Early Life
Born in Guangzhou, China, on March 23, 1978, Gene Wu immigrated to the U.S. at age 5, first settling in Odessa, Texas, before moving to Houston in 1988. His parents, Anmei Tang (electrical engineer) and Zhengyi Wu (former nurse, later immigration lawyer), survived hardships during China’s Cultural Revolution, which shaped Wu’s views on justice.
Wu attended Ed White Elementary, Fondren Middle School, and St. Thomas Episcopal School. Struggling with English early on, he adapted and drew inspiration from his parents’ resilience. His family’s immigrant experience fueled his commitment to public service and child advocacy.
Gene Wu Family Details
| Relation | Name/Details |
| Wife | Miya Shay (married August 11, 2012) |
| Children | Two sons – Winston and Lyndon |
| Parents | Anmei Tang (mother), Zhengyi Wu (father) |
| Residence | Southwest Houston, Texas |
Gene Wu Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement |
| 2000 | Earned J.D. from South Texas College of Law |
| 2003 | Became felony prosecutor, Harris County DA’s Office |
| 2012 | Elected to Texas House, District 137 |
| 2019 | Passed CPS reform legislation improving foster care |
| 2024 | Re-elected, defeated Libertarian Lee Sharp |
| 2025 | Elected Chair of Texas House Democratic Caucus; led redistricting walkout |
Wu earned a B.S. from Texas A&M University, a Master’s in Public Affairs from UT Austin’s LBJ School, and a J.D. from South Texas College of Law.
His career began as a felony prosecutor in Harris County’s 315th Juvenile Court, where he focused on juvenile justice. Later, he entered private practice, defending children in CPS cases.
Elected to the Texas House in 2012, he has since been re-elected through 2024. His legislative work includes CPS reform, education equity, and health services.
In 2025, Wu became Democratic Caucus Chair after defeating Trey Martinez Fischer and gained national attention by leading a walkout to block GOP redistricting efforts.
Gene Wu Net Worth
| Field | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | $200,000–$500,000 (2025) |
| Income Sources | Legislative salary ($7,200 + $221/day per diem), private legal practice |
Controversies
- Redistricting Walkout (2025): Wu led Democrats in leaving Texas to block GOP redistricting. Governor Abbott filed a lawsuit to remove him, which Wu dismissed as “meaningless.”
- Racist Attacks (2025): Faced racist remarks from GOP figures, including Sen. Mayes Middleton’s post “Is Gene Wu back in China?” which sparked bipartisan backlash.
- Private School Criticism (2023): Criticized for sending his sons to private school despite advocating for public education. Wu defended it as a personal family decision.
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