California governor Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping redistricting proposal aimed at reshaping congressional boundaries to create five new Democratic seats. The measure, described as a direct response to Texas Republicans’ gerrymandered maps backed by Donald Trump, now heads to voters in a November special election. Newsom said the plan was essential to “neutralize” Republican efforts and protect fair elections.
California’s Counter Move
The Democratic-controlled legislature advanced the package after hours of contentious debate, passing three measures: the proposed congressional map, a constitutional amendment, and funding for the special election. Lawmakers worked against a Friday deadline to give the secretary of state time to place the proposal on the November ballot. Democrats erupted in applause as the assembly secured final approval.
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Newsom Defends Strategy
Flanked by Democratic lawmakers, Newsom declared that Texas had “fired the first shot.” He argued California was simply responding in kind: “When all things are equal, [when] we’re all playing by the same set of rules, there’s no question that the Republican party will be the minority party in the House of Representatives next year.” Newsom accused Trump of attempting to “rig the election” and urged Americans to “open your eyes” to what was happening.
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Parallel Battles in States
The move sets California and Texas, the nation’s two most populous and politically opposed states, on parallel tracks in a coast-to-coast redistricting showdown. As Democrats in Sacramento approved their plan, Republicans in Austin were nearing final passage of their own partisan map. Texas Democrats had staged a two-week boycott to block it but returned after California advanced its counterproposal, facing police escorts and overnight protests inside the chamber.
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Republican Pushback
California Republicans condemned the plan as a “Gavinmander,” warning it would undermine the state’s independent redistricting process. “The problem when you fight fire with fire is you burn it all down,” said Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher. GOP lawmakers argued the special election could cost more than $230m, money they claimed would be better used on healthcare and other priorities. The state supreme court rejected their emergency attempt to block the measure, but Republicans vowed to continue the fight in court and push for a federal review.
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Divisions Among Democrats
Not all Democrats were comfortable with the plan. Sara Sadhwani, a political scientist and former member of California’s independent redistricting commission, acknowledged a “moral conflict” in discarding commission maps. “It brings me no joy to see the maps that we passed fairly by the commission to be tossed aside,” she testified. “I do believe this is a necessary step in a much bigger battle to shore up free and fair elections in our nation.”
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National Backing and Opposition
Newsom’s plan has drawn support from national Democratic figures, including former president Barack Obama and his attorney general Eric Holder, who have long championed redistricting reform. But opposition has emerged from high-profile Republicans, including former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who vowed to “terminate gerrymandering.” The battle has also fueled speculation about Newsom’s 2028 presidential ambitions, as he positions himself as a leading figure in Democratic resistance to Trump.
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Voter Decision Ahead
While early polling shows mixed results, a survey by Newsom’s longtime pollster David Binder found 57% of Californians supporting the measure, compared with 35% opposed. Senate president pro tempore Mike McGuire defended the move, saying: “All of us support independent redistricting, here in California and in every state in this union. One thing that we do not support is unilateral disarmament, when the fairness of the 2026 election is being threatened.”