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The California state legislature has passed a redistricting plan that favors Democrats on the same day that Texas looks to pass its own redistricting plan that would favor Republicans as the two parties keep an eye on the 2026 midterm elections and control of Congress.
The redistricting plan, pushed by California Governor Gavin Newsom to counter what he called President Donald Trump’s efforts to “rig” the next elections, adds five seats that favor Democrats in a direct counterweight to the five seats the Republicans could gain in Texas.
The State Assembly passed the new map by 57 to 20, and the State Senate again approved the new map just hours later on a party-line vote with 30 to 8.
“Open your eyes to what is going on in the United States of America in 2025,” Newsom said at a press conference following the vote. “That’s what this is about. We’re responding [to] what occured in Texas. We’re neutralizing what occurred, and we’re giving the American people a fair chance, because when all things are equal, and we’re all playing by the same rules, there’s no question that the Republican party will be the minority party in the House of Representatives next year.”
The new map still requires California voters to approve it, which will occur at a special election.
Newsom’s plan has faced fierce backlash from Republicans in California, including former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who will campaign against the new map in what is set to be a bitter fight in the state.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will follow.
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