In conclusion
A gerrymandering struggle that might influence the 2026 midterm elections began with Texas and President Donald Trump. As they challenge Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting, that puts California Republicans in a difficult position.
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When Democrats accuse Texas of initiating the arms race in congressional gerrymandering, California Republicans have a straightforward response: two wrongs don’t make a right.
They must thus admit both mistakes, which puts them at odds with President Donald Trump, the leader of their party, who wants the GOP to redistrict congressional districts in order to increase its prospects of holding onto a majority in Congress the following autumn.
Trump has claimed that he is entitled to five more GOP House seats in Texas. Democratic lawmakers are set to put California’s retaliatory campaign on the ballot for a special election in November as a result of those actions.
Five Republican-held congressional districts would be skewed toward Democrats on the California plans, which are supported by Governor Gavin Newsom, in order to counterbalance the Texas model.
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio, a Republican from San Diego and an outspoken Trump supporter, stated, “I haven’t heard a single Republican in the state of California, who is in office in the state Legislature, defend Texas.” No matter who does it, whether it’s a blue state or a red one, gerrymandering is wrong. It is wrong for politicians to redraw the boundaries of their districts.
In a resolution introduced Monday, DeMaio and Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher urged Congress to draft a constitutional amendment mandating that all states use an impartial commission for redistricting, as California’s constitution has done since voters approved a ballot initiative establishing the procedure in 2010. Every member of the GOP Assembly has joined.
When does it end? stated Sen. Tony Strickland, a Republican from Huntington Beach, who advocated redistricting every two years, warning that a gerrymandering race to the bottom would lead to instability and a terrible nation. Rather, he suggested that all states follow California’s example, in which a panel of independent citizens redistricts the state’s boundaries every ten years.
According to him, what we currently have ought to serve as the template and benchmark for the rest of the nation.
He was one of several Republicans from California who rushed to get their ballot measure in front of voters this week. Late on Wednesday, the California Supreme Court dismissed their complaint.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance have also criticized the independently designed districts, claiming they are unjustly biased against Republicans and that Democrats won 43 of the state’s 52 seats.
According to researchers, the maps are competitive on some metrics but give Democrats a small edge on others.
What Republicans in Congress say
The end of the redistricting wars has also been demanded by a number of California Republicans in Congress. Their goals include holding onto their seats and maintaining voter representation.
A bill sponsored in Congress by Rocklin Republican Representative Kevin Kiley would forbid mid-decade redistricting worldwide, thereby establishing a state-to-state ceasefire. Under the Democratic plan, Kiley’s expansive third congressional district—which spans about 500 miles through the conservative-leaning eastern Sierra region—would shrink significantly to incorporate more liberal Sacramento suburbs.
After Louisiana Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson chastised Newsom’s map efforts on Tuesday, Kiley posted on social media that it was unlikely that his bill would be taken to the floor. It would mean reversing Trump’s intentions for Texas and making it more difficult for the Republicans to maintain their congressional majority.
These are good statements, Mr. Speaker, but we must do something. “Kiley said.”
Rep. Jay Obernolte of Big Bear Lake and Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfaof Oroville have also opposed mid-decade redistricting in California and other states, arguing that it breeds voter mistrust.
California Republicans are correct to advocate for independent redistricting across the country and to fight gerrymandering in both blue and red states, according to GOP consultant and redistricting expert Matt Rexroad. For both moral and just practical considerations, he deemed the redistricting wars a terrible idea for all.
In addition to removing three competitive Democratic districts in Southern California, Newsom’s redistricting would also remove five Republican seats. According to their updated maps, Rexroad is not certain that Republicans can win the seats in Texas.
He added, “I think it’s a bad trade in addition to the reasons (for independent redistricting).”
Other California Republicans have refrained from publicly denouncing the Trump-supported initiatives in Texas. Rep. Young Kim’s spokeswoman stated that the Orange County congresswoman thought Newsom should concentrate on solving California’s problems rather than disenfranchising voters and setting himself up for a presidential run, and that she saw his plan as an unlawful attempt to seize power.
Representatives of the Republican Party. Inquiries from CalMatters were not answered by Tom McClintock, Vince Fong, David Valadao, Darrell Issa, or Ken Calvert in time for publication.
Newsom vs. Trump
In response to questions about whether they would directly urge Trump to rescind his redistricting plan in Texas, which California Democrats have claimed would force them to drop their gerrymandering efforts, some Republican state lawmakers have remained silent. In Texas, they have also shifted the blame to civil rights organizations that filed a lawsuit over the current map, which gives Democrats 11 safe seats and Republicans 25 safe seats and two competitive ones.
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon wrote to Texas in July, as the case was making its way through the federal courts, stating that the state needed to redraw its congressional boundaries. This gave Governor Greg Abbott the right to call a special legislative session to accomplish this.
In response to a question about whether Trump should also back down from new maps in Texas, state Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, a Republican from San Diego, stated, “I haven’t been a part of those conversations.” I don’t know anything about Texas law, the state legislature, or the constitution. California is my main focus.
Find out more about the lawmakers this story mentions.
Umberg, Thomas
Democrat, Santa Ana’s District 34 in the State Senate
Choi Steven
Republican, District 37 (Irvine), State Senate
Gallagher, James
Republican, District 3 (Chico) of the State Assembly
DeMaio, Carl
Republican, San Diego’s District 75 in the State Assembly
Republican Steven Choi was reprimanded by Democrat Tom Umberg in the Senate elections committee on Tuesday for claiming that California was unjustly adopting the same abhorrent practices of other jurisdictions.
I suppose that if you’re criticizing what they’re doing in Texas, you’re also criticizing what U.S. President Umberg of Santa Ana said. I commend you for your bravery since it’s a daring move for a Republican.
“I’m just using the word condemn because Democrats have,” said Choi of Irvine.
He stated, “If you are condemning them, let’s not become the bad ones or part of the bad actors.” I didn’t assess or critique the behavior of Texans.
It may not matter if bipartisan criticism of California Republicans will benefit or harm them. The campaign over the GOP seats, Rexroad said, will ultimately come down to a more basic question.
I don t know what sort of strategy they can come up with, because the governor s strategy is clear, he said. Choose me, or choose Trump.
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