California Governor Newsom Vows to Combat Texas Redistricting Moves
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared readiness to counteract Texas Republicans’ redistricting efforts, stating he will respond "fire with fire" while opposing such tactics.
During a press briefing on Monday, Newsom expressed his endorsement of independent redistricting alongside support for a national framework. He indicated that a proposal being pushed through the legislature aligns with his views.
“The initiative we are promoting in the legislature is conditional upon their actions to dismantle established protocols,” Newsom noted. “Would we respond in kind? Absolutely, fire with fire.”
When pressed about a recent meeting among California Democrats who were drafting redistricting maps, Newsom admitted he had not seen the drafts but acknowledged a continuous dialogue taking place into the night on Sunday and throughout Monday.
“This process requires the agreement and backing of two-thirds of the legislature,” he explained. “The maps must be transparent and accessible to the public; thus, they are under preparation to be unveiled.”
Ultimately, Newsom asserted that the residents of California would determine the outcome.
“We will give them the chance to make their own judgments, should Texas advance with this initiative,” he remarked. “Our belief is in an independent national redistricting model that must evolve in response to the current realities. Times have changed; hence our approach must adapt.”
“The actions in Texas have provoked this response, and we will not retreat; we aim to retaliate with comparable force,” he elaborated. “We aim to leverage California’s power, as it represents the fourth-largest economy and has the population equivalent to 21 states combined. Our influence will be felt, and we hope that resonates with the Texas delegation. Their efforts will be effectively neutralized in California.”
California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin criticized Newsom’s strategy, stating it could infringe on the constitutional rights of Californians and establish a precarious precedent.
“While Governor Newsom presents this redistricting as a defensive action, it undermines California’s respected, voter-approved Citizens Redistricting Commission. If successful, this sets a troubling precedent allowing political maneuvering to override voter choice,” Rankin stated. “It is essential to safeguard Californians’ rights against partisan agendas disguised as democracy; true democratic representation should be determined by voters, not politicians.”
In Texas, numerous Democratic lawmakers departed to Chicago and New York on Sunday to obstruct a redistricting vote set for Monday.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has warned he will take steps to arrest and remove those lawmakers if they do not return by the afternoon.
In response, the Texas House Democratic Caucus issued a defiant statement: “Come and take it.”
They described the Republicans’ proposed districts, which could enable the GOP to gain five additional seats in the upcoming midterm elections, as part of a “racist mid-decade redistricting scheme.”
Abbott criticized the Democrats for their drastic exit, insisting “real Texans don’t run from a fight.”
On Monday evening, Illinois lawmakers welcomed Texas Democrats for a press conference, where no questions were taken from the press.
Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., expressed solidarity with her Texas colleagues, stating their fight has national implications.
“The actions being taken in Texas affect all of us and fundamentally question our democracy,” she remarked. “The removal of five Democrats would substantially hinder our representation.”
Kelly articulated concerns about the potential success of Republican legislation, such as the so-called "Big Ugly Bill," and the consequences for democracy.
She stressed, “They aim to dismantle democracy, starting with Texas. Yet, we stand alongside you.”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., accused Abbott of neglecting the needs of Texans impacted by severe flooding while focusing instead on diminishing Democratic representation.
“Don’t undermine those representing Texas,” he warned Abbott. “You can attempt intimidation, but we will not back down. If you gerrymander your maps, know that other states may respond similarly to counter your actions.”
Other lawmakers at the press conference echoed these sentiments, asserting that policies rooted in prejudice were at play.
Texas State Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos described Trump’s policies as detrimental to working families, labeling them as “racist.”
Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, agreed, stating that the politicization of race in redistricting efforts highlights systemic biases.
“They invoked race to serve their agenda, but we will not allow racism to dictate democracy in Texas,” Green asserted. “We will fight for our democratic values.”
Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, welcomed support from California and New York as essential in countering the Texas redistricting efforts, describing the situation as a “national war.”
“I never imagined I would see the governor of Texas bow to the authority of a New York felon,” Johnson commented, highlighting her disillusionment with the current political climate.
D-Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett accused Abbott of inaction and suggested that they would not passively accept unfair treatment from their Republican counterparts.
“They expect us to simply stand down, but we will not only retaliate but fight back strongly,” she emphasized.
Abbott has made it clear, however, that Texas is operating within its legal framework.
He also accused Texas Democrats of neglecting the ongoing flood relief efforts while focusing on political maneuvering.
Abbott noted that four out of the five contested seats due to redistricting would mainly benefit Hispanic constituents, hinting at shifting voter demographics.
“These are realities Democrats must confront,” he said, pointing to their perceived decline in support from Hispanic and Black voters in the state.
Abbott added that Democrats are “panicking” as they face Texas’s legitimate redistricting authority.
“Texas will persist in its commitment to what is just,” he concluded.
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