California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday announced a special election plan that would allow Democrats to redraw the state's congressional map if Texas Republicans proceed with a mid-decade redistricting effort aimed at adding GOP-leaning seats.
Speaking at a press conference alongside former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California lawmakers, and several Texas Democrats who have fled their state, Newsom described the move as a "trigger" measure designed to "nullify" Republican efforts in Texas. "California will not sit by idly and watch this Democracy waste away," Newsom said. "We'll fight fire with fire. We'll assert ourselves, and we'll punch above our weight, and it will have profound impacts on the national outcome, not just here in the state of California."
The proposal would temporarily bypass California's independent redistricting commission and place a new congressional map before voters in early November. Newsom said the plan would be implemented only with voter approval and could give Democrats a net gain of five U.S. House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. "We're doing it in a fully transparent way and we're doing it by asking the people of the state of California for their consent and support," he said.
The deadline to qualify the measure for the ballot is Aug. 22, Newsom said, adding that the move was a direct counter to a Republican-led effort in Texas encouraged by President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. "Greg Abbott, who doesn't have the courage, doesn't have the backbone, doesn't have a conscience of the consequences of his actions... is dialing now for new seats," Newsom said. "[Trump's] agenda is failing. His presidency has failed. He knows the headwinds in a midterm. He's dialing for seats now."
Texas Republicans are pushing to create up to five new GOP-leaning districts. In protest, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers have left Texas, preventing the state House from reaching a quorum. Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows signed arrest warrants for the absent members, following a House vote authorizing such action, though the warrants only apply within state lines.
Texas Governor Abbott has criticized the walkout, tying it to other legislative priorities. "Our fellow Texans are being let down and not getting the flood relief they need, because these Democrats have absconded from the responsibility," he said in a Fox News interview.
Democratic lawmakers in Texas contend the proposed map is unconstitutional and excessively partisan. Texas state Rep. Ann Johnson said there is "an arrest warrant to force Democrats back to the state for one bill only," adding, "They don't want us to come back for flooding. They are using those families as a distraction."
Pelosi defended the coordinated Democratic response in both states, calling it "self-defense for our democracy." California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said proposed maps would be released next week. "Once these maps are released, voters will have the opportunity to digest these maps, review them for weeks and months leading to this election," he said.
