Redistricting battle in Texas is officially leading California to aim at re-drawing maps
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- California governor Gavin Newsom is now calling for a special election to approve a one-time redrawing of California's congressional districts.
A public show of support from California democrats to their counterparts in Texas on Friday.
Governor Gavin Newsom hosted half dozen Lone Star state lawmakers in Sacramento. Those lawmakers leaving their home turf to prevent a vote on a Republican-led redistricting plan.
"With the leadership behind me, they will get this on the ballot. We are calling for a special election that will be the first week of November," said Gov. Newsom. "We are here to meet this moment head on, and we look forward to a successful campaign and look forward to do what we can to have the back of these courageous leaders."
Governor Newsom announced that maps will also be redrawn in California if voters approve it. Newsom promised this as a one-time effort to add democratic seats in Congress. Texas state representatives stood behind him as he made the announcement. The Texas democrats left their state to prevent the minority number needed for a vote on Texas' new maps.
"Make no mistake about it. We are running from nothing we see the danger that is coming, and we are running straight forth," said Ann Johnson, Texas State Representative.
VIDEO: CA lawmakers' new congressional maps are almost ready amid Texas redistricting showdown, sources say
Texas democrats say they're facing warrants for their arrests as well as efforts to expel them from the state House, but they stand by their actions.
"Two days ago, I checked in with my office and we had 700 calls on this bill proposing a new map. Four were opposed, the rest were all in support of my breaking quorum. I'm doing exactly what my constituents want," said Gina Hinojosa, Texas State Representative.
The new maps in Texas could lead to five Republican seats, boosting the party's chances to secure the House in 2026.
"Right now, the Republicans have a very narrow margin in the House. Which means that they have to work very hard to keep some of their more eccentric online for normal votes. So what Trump wants is a bigger margin so that he can push his agenda so they are hoping that if they can pick up not just in Texas but in a few of the other republican states where they have trifecta government, they can put all of them together enhance their margin," said Bruce Cain, Stanford University professor.
Professor Cain drew the redistricting lines in 1981 in assembly in California and was involved in the congressional one in 1982.
"Based on the history, based on what you lived. What's happening today? What is happening today is essentially a declaration of the intent to go forward and to launch the initial steps to make it happen because we have a commission system, they are going to have to bypass that commission," said Professor Cain.
MORE: Republicans are going outside of Texas to try to redraw more US House seats | What to know
If Californians vote to redistrict, Stanford University Fellow Lanhee J. Chen says that will be concerning even if it only changes maps for 2026.
"He is affecting the system of independent redistricting that voters in this state have voted on and approved, not once, but twice, in 2008 and 2010, taking that power away from independent commissions, from a commission of citizens and putting it in the hands of politicians to draw overtly political lines. And it's in my mind a violation of democratic norms and potentially a violation of California law," said Lanhee J. Chen, Stanford University fellow in American Public Policy Studies.
Chen believes Governor Newsom is pushing for this shift as part of his higher aspiration.
"He sees this as an opportunity to bolster and burnish his credentials with democratic primary voters who will determine who the Presidential nominee is in 2028. It's very clear why Gavin Newsom is doing this. He's doing this because he wants to be President, and his naked political ambition has apparently gotten in the way of any instinct toward defending democracy. He talks a lot about the ways in which President Trump is attacking democracy. He's a hypocrite for making the argument in the way that he's made it and certainly given what he's doing on redistricting. I think it's fairly clear that he's a politician first and a public servant last," said Chen.
California Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren said Democrats in California are "happy" with all the districts as they are, "but when we saw Texas was going to create the most segregated map in Texas since the 60's to eliminate all of the minority of districts that they could, so they could create five Republican districts we said could create a map that eliminated 5 republican districts, but that was true to the voting acts and we found out that we could," said Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren.
The deadline to put together a ballot measure is August 22. Robert Rivas, Speaker of the California State Assembly, said the maps are projected to be ready and accessible for the public to view next week.
