California Democrats are preparing a political counterstrike against Republican-led efforts in Texas to redraw congressional districts in ways that could tilt next year’s midterm elections in the GOP’s favor, potentially reshaping the balance of power for the final two years of President Trump’s second term.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced plans for a major state announcement on Thursday, signaling California’s readiness to act amid national tensions over mid-decade redistricting. Typically, congressional maps are redrawn after the decennial U.S. Census, but Texas Republicans unveiled proposals earlier this summer to redraw five Democrat-held seats, making them more favorable to the GOP.
“If you will not stand down, I will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states,” Newsom warned in a letter to the president.
Discussions between Newsom’s team, California’s Democratic congressional delegation, and state lawmakers have explored the feasibility of a countermeasure. According to U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the talks initially questioned whether such a move was even possible. The conclusion: it is and Democrats could potentially secure five additional seats to neutralize Republican gains.
Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress and the White House. A Democratic pickup of just three seats in 2026 could flip the House, but that path would be threatened if GOP-led states such as Texas, Indiana, and Missouri succeed in reshaping Democratic-leaning districts to their advantage.
The redistricting fight in Texas has already reached a national spotlight. Breakaway Democratic lawmakers from the Texas House fled the state to block a quorum, stalling the GOP’s effort to pass new maps during a special legislative session. However, Republicans have vowed to persist, with Texas state senator Phil King openly stating his goal was to pass a plan that “elects more Republicans to the U.S. Congress.”
While Democrats have accused Republicans of gerrymandering, the left has also faced criticism for similar tactics in blue states such as Illinois, where maps drawn after the 2020 Census favored Democrats.
Newsom’s potential intervention comes as he positions himself as a key Democratic figure ahead of 2028, but changing California’s congressional boundaries won’t be as straightforward as in Texas. The Golden State has an independent citizens’ redistricting commission enshrined in its constitution. Altering this process would require a new constitutional amendment—passed by two-thirds of both legislative chambers and approved by voters in a statewide election.
With just nine of California’s 52 U.S. House districts currently held by Republicans, the state offers limited territory for potential Democratic gains. Even so, Newsom’s allies see a political opportunity to mount a symbolic and strategic response to GOP maneuvers elsewhere.
California lawmakers are set to return to Sacramento on August 18 to begin public hearings on the matter, with only five days to formalize any proposed changes. The outcome could set the stage for one of the most high-stakes redistricting battles in modern U.S. politics.
