Gavin Newsom links California redistricting to Texas: State 'will not sit by idly'

Kate Wolffe and Lia Russell, The Sacramento Bee on Aug 4, 2025

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Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Monday that he would only move forward with an effort to redraw California’s congressional districts if Texas is successful in redrawing its own to eke out another five Republican seats in the 2026 midterms.

Last week, Newsom floated the possibility of calling a special election in November to ask voters to approve new temporary congressional maps after the Texas Legislature, at the behest of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump, called a special legislative session.

It’s unclear if Texas lawmakers will succeed, after state Democrats fled the state over the weekend to Boston, New York and Illinois in a bid to deny Republicans a quorum.

“They’ve triggered this response. And we’re not going to roll over and we’re going to fight fire with fire, but we’re going to do so not just punching with the weight of the fourth largest economy, the most populous state in our union, the size of 21 state populations combined,” Newsom said of Texas Republicans during a news conference with Attorney General Rob Bonta in Sacramento.

“But we also will punch above our weight in terms of the impact of what we’re doing, and I think that should be absorbed by those in the Texas delegation, whatever they are doing, will be neutered here in the state of California, and they will pay that price.”

California legislators appear ready to follow his lead after initial skepticism.

Democrats in the Assembly and Senate met late Sunday via Zoom to discuss next steps, with a possible redistricting effort in response to Texas. Newsom is calling for new maps to go into effect for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 elections.

Redistricting power would then revert back to the nonpartisan Citizen Redistricting Commission in line with typical redistricting that comes after the decennial census.

“You don’t go into a fight where the other side has a machine gun and respond with a butter knife,” said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, D-Los Angeles, who attended Sunday’s meeting. “The cost of this is a very small percentage compared to what is sort of at risk if we continue to allow a congress in place that is really following the direction of an administration that’s aimed at punishing California.”

“I think our country is in a moral crisis, and that’s not a ‘turn the other cheek’ moment,” said Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, D-Jefferson Park, who was also present on Sunday. “It’s a moment where you gotta hold some ground and stand up and fight back.”

According to a lawmaker present at the Assembly Democratic Caucus’ meeting, who was not authorized to speak about the discussions, lawmakers were shown polling that said 63% of likely voters rejected the redistricting in Texas and wanted California to act, while 25% of respondents did not want California to act.

Republicans have called Newsom’s redistricting gambit a partisan power grab, and good governance groups have cautioned against redistricting, saying it would lead to further political polarization.

Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, said Monday that he was introducing legislation to prevent mid-decade congressional redistricting to head off “Newsom’s corrupt scheme,” which would effectively also block efforts like those in Texas.

“I’m appreciative that this member of Congress is waking up to the realities of what has occurred in Texas,” Newsom said of his sometime political opponent. “I haven’t heard much from him as it relates to the condemnation of their efforts, but I’m grateful that he recognizes the importance of a national framework.”

Newsom said Monday he had not seen any possible redistricting maps, and that voters would be the final authority on any newly drawn districts. Nor is a special election an absolute, he said.

The state would only move forward with a special election if Texas successfully redrew its lines, he said.

“It’s cause and effect. It’s triggered on the basis of what occurs or doesn’t occur in Texas. I hope they do the right thing and, if they do the right thing, then there’ll be no cause for us to have to move forward,” Newsom said.

“But again, we’re working with the Legislature on a trigger that if they do move forward, California will not sit by idly and watch this democracy waste away.”

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