() Nearly two weeks after breaking quorum and leaving the state over mid-decade redistricting, Texas Democrats are set to soon return home.
The lawmakers announced they will return on two conditions: if Texas Republicans end a special legislative session aimed at securing five additional House seats for President Donald Trump, and if California releases its own redistricting proposal.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked voters to allow state officials to redraw congressional maps rather than the independent commission that currently handles the task.
He announced Thursday that, if Texas moves forward with its redistricting proposal and costs Democrats five House seats, California will follow suit and attempt to turn five of its nine Republican seats blue.
Newsom said he wants to hold a special election Nov. 4. Right now, the state has an independent redistricting commission, something a majority (64%) of Californians are supportive of, according to a recent Politico-Citrin Center poll.
Typically, California’s congressional maps are redrawn after a census every 10 years by an independent committee. Newsom said this move to redistrict would be temporary, only in effect for 2026, 2028 and 2030 and vowed the task would be returned to the commission after the 2030 census.
“We’re doing this in reaction to a president of the United States that called a sitting governor of the state of Texas and said, ‘Find me five seats.’ We’re doing it in reaction to that act,” Newsom said, adding that he refuses to watch “democracy disappear district by district” nationally.
While Newsom was holding a rally in Los Angeles on Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers showed up outside the building.
Newsom said he didn’t think the law enforcement presence was a coincidence, and crews witnessed at least one person being detained.
Will other states join in redistricting fight?
Several states, most of which have supermajorities, have also considered redrawing their electoral maps.
Republicans are seeking to ensure Trump can get his agenda passed during the second half of his term, while Democrats want control of the House after the midterms.
Florida, Illinois, and Missouri are among states considering changing their districts. By law, Ohio must redraw its congressional map this year.
Political analyst and historian Rich Rubino called the reactionary redistricting calls a “snowball effect,” fueled by changes in states led by the other majority.
