Trump encourages Texas Republicans to expedite the passage of redistricting charts, while Newsom and the Democrats of California put forward their counterarguments
Texas and California Engage in Redistricting Battle
In a move that could reshape the political landscape of the United States, Texas Republicans, under pressure from former President Donald Trump, have advanced a controversial mid-decade redistricting plan aimed at gerrymandering the state's congressional districts to gain up to five additional House seats for the GOP.
The Texas State House passed the map 88–52 on August 20, 2025, and the Texas State Senate followed with an 18–8 vote on August 23, 2025. The redistricting plan specifically targets five Democratic-held districts. Governor Greg Abbott has pledged to sign the legislation into law, signaling his support after initial reservations which were alleviated following consultations with Trump.
In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom has intervened by signing a ballot measure amending the California Constitution to temporarily redraw congressional districts to tilt five more seats toward Democrats in the 2026 elections. This redistricting duel represents a broader partisan war over control of the U.S. House.
Governors at the Forefront
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pledged to sign the Republican-drawn congressional map benefiting the GOP, influenced by Trump. Initially skeptical, he has now aligned with the plan. On the other hand, Gavin Newsom of California has signed a ballot measure for a temporary Democratic-favoring congressional map, opposing Texas's plan. He characterizes this move as a defensive strategy to preserve democratic fairness and prevent what he views as election rigging initiated by Trump's influence over Texas's redistricting process.
Legal Challenges Ahead
Democrats in Texas have resisted the GOP plan by staging walkouts and preparing legal challenges. Similarly, a lawsuit has been filed by a handful of California Republican state lawmakers in the state Supreme Court to stop the proposed redistricting reform. Democrats in California are planning to hold a special election to obtain voter approval to undo the constitutional amendments that created the non-partisan redistricting commission.
A Wider Implication
This redistricting conflict is unfolding as one of the most contentious and strategic battles ahead of the 2026 midterms, with governors Abbott and Newsom leading opposite sides in this high-stakes partisan confrontation. The California Republican Party is opposing the Democrats' redistricting effort, calling it a "blatant power grab" that would "tear apart communities, silence public input, and erase the transparency that voters demanded."
Former Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, during his tenure, had a starring role in the passage of constitutional amendments in California that took the power to draw state legislative and congressional districts away from politicians and placed it in the hands of an independent commission. However, he is now mobilizing to oppose the push by Newsom to temporarily scrap the state's nonpartisan redistricting commission.
[1] Texas Republicans Advance Mid-Decade Redistricting Plan, The New York Times, August 24, 2025. [2] California Governor Signs Ballot Measure to Redraw Congressional Districts, Los Angeles Times, August 25, 2025. [3] Governor Abbott Pledges to Sign GOP-Crafted Redistricting Map, The Texas Tribune, August 26, 2025. [4] Newsom Coordinates Statewide Response to Texas Redistricting Plan, Politico, August 27, 2025. [5] Schwarzenegger Opposes Newsom's Redistricting Plan, The San Francisco Chronicle, August 28, 2025.
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