California lawmakers passed a legislative package Thursday advancing a plan to redraw the state’s congressional map — and it’s designed to help them take control of the U.S. House in 2026.
After hours of heated debate, the state legislature passed a redistricting package mostly along party lines. The plan, backed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, could hand Democrats up to five more seats in Congress. But before the new map becomes official, voters will need to approve it in a special statewide election this November.
“We don’t want this fight and we didn’t choose this fight, but with our democracy on the line, we will not run away from this fight,” said Democratic Assemblyman Marc Berman.
This move is a direct response to Republicans in Texas, who are rushing through their own redrawn map — also expected to give them five new seats — at the urging of President Donald Trump. The GOP map in Texas could become law within days.
Now, California Democrats are firing back with what Newsom calls a “fight fire with fire” strategy.
But Republicans in California say this is a dangerous path.
“You move forward fighting fire with fire and what happens?” said Assemblyman James Gallagher, the GOP minority leader. “You burn it all down.”
The redistricting war is part of a larger national fight for control of the House. Democrats are just three seats away from a majority — and both parties are using state-level map changes to tip the scales.
In Texas, Republican Rep. Todd Hunter made the goal crystal clear: “The underlying goal of this plan is straight forward: improve Republican political performance.”
California Democrats say they’re simply leveling the playing field.
“What do we do, just sit back and do nothing? Or do we fight back?” said state Sen. Lena Gonzalez. “This is how we fight back and protect our democracy.”
California voters created a nonpartisan redistricting commission in 2008, which was expanded in 2010 to include congressional maps. That system was once hailed as a national model.
But now, even longtime supporters of that system are backing this partisan move. Democratic Assemblyman Joshua Lowenthal, whose father helped create the original commission, presided over the vote.
Former President Barack Obama, another past supporter of nonpartisan redistricting, has also endorsed the plan.
“I think that approach is a smart, measured approach,” Obama said Tuesday at a Democratic fundraiser, adding that voters still get the final say.
The Plan Is Temporary — But the Stakes Are Huge
If voters approve the map in November, it will only stay in place until 2030, when the regular redistricting process tied to the Census takes place. But those five potential seats could decide control of Congress in 2026.
Democrats are also considering reopening maps in other blue states like Maryland and New York. But unlike GOP-led states, most Democratic states have rules or commissions that make it harder to change maps mid-decade.
In Texas, Democrats tried to block the Republican plan by walking out and delaying the vote for over two weeks. When they returned, they were placed under round-the-clock police watch.
California Republicans made their anger clear.
“What you’re striving for is predetermined elections,” said Republican Sen. Tony Strickland. “You’re taking the voice away from Californians.”
The fight isn’t over. Republicans have filed a lawsuit and are pushing for a federal investigation.
Once Newsom signs the bill, the final word will belong to California voters in November.
