California Democrats advanced Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan Thursday, passing three bills aimed at reshaping the state’s congressional map to net five Democratic House seats.
According to CNN, the effort mirrors Republicans in Texas, who passed GOP-drawn maps this week designed to deliver the party an additional five seats.
California’s proposal bypasses its independent redistricting commission, instead sending the matter to voters in a November special election under Proposition 50.
The California legislature approved a redistricting package aimed at giving Democrats five more seats in the US Congress, countering a partisan advantage President Donald Trump hoped to gain from a similar Republican plan to redraw political maps in Texas https://t.co/QzgjYFu3ME
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 22, 2025
Republicans argue the move is partisan gerrymandering, while Democrats defend it as necessary to counter Texas’ actions backed by President Donald Trump.
Former President Barack Obama endorsed Newsom’s push, saying Democrats must “fight fire with fire.” Meanwhile, Texas Democrats vowed to challenge the new GOP maps in court.
With both states pushing opposing redistricting agendas, the battle underscores how control of Congress in 2026 could hinge on partisan mapmaking.
California Democrats pass Gov. Newsom's redistricting plan, a day after the Texas House approved new GOP-drawn mapshttps://t.co/ziVgb4XyFI
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 21, 2025
