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House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican) vowed to derail California's proposed congressional redistricting effort, calling it an "illegal power grab" after Governor Gavin Newsom (Democrat) unveiled new electoral boundaries on Friday. The maps are designed to eliminate potential Republican gains as both states engage in a partisan redistricting war ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Johnson accused Newsom of "trampling his state's laws for a blatant power grab" and suggested the governor wants to "launch a presidential campaign on the backs of disenfranchised California voters." The Speaker's office and the National Republican Congressional Committee pledged to "use every measure and resource possible" to fight California's effort in courts and at the ballot box.
Texas proceeds while California faces barriers
Unlike California, Texas lawmakers only need legislative approval before Governor Gregg Abbott (Republican) signs redistricting maps into law. California must hold a special election this autumn so voters can decide whether to suspend the state's independent redistricting commission until the end of the decade.
The Guardian reports that California's proposed map would create three safe Democratic districts and two competitive Democratic-leaning districts. Internal polling shows 52 per cent to 41 per cent voter support for the redistricting measure, with the California legislature potentially voting as soon as Thursday to send the measure to voters.
Democrats return after quorum battle
Texas Democrats returned to the state on Monday after more than two weeks of staying away to break quorum in the state House. Their absence left Republicans without enough members present to vote on legislation during a special 30-day legislative session requested by Abbott.
Gene Wu, Texas House of Representatives Minority Leader, declared victory saying Democrats "killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation -- reshaping the entire 2026 landscape." The Texas House Democratic Caucus said members returned "to launch the next phase in their fight against the racist gerrymander."
National redistricting expansion
Trump has pushed Republicans nationwide to redraw electoral lines for control of the House of Representatives to avoid a repeat of the 2018 midterm elections when Democrats regained control of Congress. At a Los Angeles rally last week, Newsom said Trump is "trying to rig the system" and California needs to "meet fire with fire."
The Guardian reports that Republicans are also planning redistricting efforts in Ohio, Missouri, Florida and potentially Indiana. Newsom stressed that bypassing the state's redistricting commission would be temporary and only occur if Texas acted first.
Sources used: "PA Media", "The Independent", "The Guardian" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
