U.S. – California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a sweeping redistricting proposal that would create five new Democratic congressional districts, a direct response to Republican-led gerrymandering efforts in Texas. The move sets the stage for a November special election where California voters will decide whether to adopt the plan.
The proposal, advanced after hours of tense debate in the Democratic-controlled legislature, is designed to counter Republican-drawn maps in Texas backed by former President Donald Trump. Newsom, standing with state lawmakers at the signing ceremony, described California’s move as “neutralizing” an attempt to secure GOP dominance in next year’s midterm elections.
“They fired the first shot in Texas,” Newsom declared. “When all things are equal, the Republican Party will be the minority in the House of Representatives next year.”
The simultaneous maneuvers in Sacramento and Austin highlight a growing redistricting clash between the nation’s two largest and deeply divided states. While California Democrats are pushing their “election rigging response act,” Texas Republicans are close to finalizing their map designed to lock in more GOP seats.
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said the measure gives Californians the power to reject Trump’s push. “We will not let our system be hijacked. Today, we give every voter the chance to say no to authoritarianism and yes to democracy.”
Ballot Fight Ahead
Lawmakers worked against a tight deadline to place the measure on the November ballot, approving not only the redrawn map but also a constitutional amendment and election funding. Applause broke out in the Assembly after the package passed.
The plan aims to flip as many as five Republican-held seats, the same number Trump recently claimed Republicans were “entitled to” in Texas. Opponents, however, denounced the measure as a “Gavinmander.”
“The problem with fighting fire with fire is you burn it all down,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher.
Legal and Political Fallout
The move comes after weeks of standoff in Texas, where Democratic lawmakers staged a boycott to delay the GOP plan but ultimately failed. California Republicans argued that the special election, which could cost more than $230 million, would divert money from pressing needs such as healthcare.
The state supreme court rejected an emergency GOP request to block the measure, but Republicans have vowed to continue the fight in court and push for federal review.
Some Democrats and independents also expressed unease, worried that setting aside maps drawn by California’s independent redistricting commission undermines the state’s long-standing fight against gerrymandering. Still, supporters like political scientist Sara Sadhwani argued the response was necessary to protect fair elections nationwide.
High Stakes and 2028 Ambitions
Newsom’s move has garnered support from prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder. But it has also drawn criticism from high-profile Republicans like former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who pledged to “terminate gerrymandering.”
Early polls show a majority of California voters favoring the plan, though opposition remains strong. For Newsom, a term-limited governor with clear presidential aspirations for 2028, the outcome could shape both national politics and his own political future.
“This is not about disarmament,” said Senate leader Mike McGuire. “It’s about defending fairness when the 2026 election is on the line.”
By Midtown Times Editorial Board
