California Lawmakers Send Redistricting Plan to Newsom

Governor launched Democratic effort after Texas took up new maps
Posted Aug 21, 2025 5:47 PM CDT
California Lawmakers Send Redistricting Plan to Newsom
California Assembly member Carl DeMaio, R-Valley Center, speaks against a package of measures to redraw the state's congressional districts on Thursday.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California's legislature on Thursday approved a series of measures to redraw the state's congressional districts to favor Democrats in the next midterm elections, an action promised by Gov. Gavin Newsom to counter Texas' attempt to give Republicans more US House seats. Once Newsom signs it, scheduled for later in the day, the legislation will put a proposed constitutional amendment before voters in November, the Los Angeles Times reports. "What do we do? Just sit back and do nothing?" state Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez said during debate. "Or do we fight back and provide some chance for our Californians to see themselves in this democracy?"

The vote was largely along party lines. Senate Republicans maintained that the state's independent commission is the best way to handle redistricting, per the Washington Post. "The ends don't justify the means," GOP Sen. Tony Strickland told Democrats. "You know this is not good for democracy in California." The commission model complicates Democrats' attempt to redraw the districts, which the constitutional amendment would allow. "This isn't politics as usual," Newsom posted Thursday on X. "It's an emergency for our democracy. And we're acting now to save our future." President Trump is behind the Texas campaign, after saying Republicans are entitled to five more seats.

The changes that cleared the legislature Thursday would eliminate the district of GOP Rep. Ken Calvert and reduce the number of Republican voters in the districts of Reps. Doug LaMalfa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao, and Darrell Issa, per the Times. California Republicans are fighting the Democratic effort in court, and the first mailer opposing the attempt, funded by Charles Munger Jr., has already gone out to voters.

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