Gov. Newsom, Texas and California Democrats not backing down on redistricting

California welcomes Texas House democrats fleeing redistrict vote

Texas has been the epicenter of Trump’s push to gerrymander congressional maps to shore up Republicans’ narrow House majority before next year. But the standoff is threatening to into other states — including California.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Texas Democrats, who are breaking quorum to avoid voting on redrawing Congressional maps in their home state, were welcomed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in Sacramento on Friday. 

There, they joined Newsom, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Zoe Lofgren as well as state lawmakers, to discuss California's re-districting plan. 

This week, Gov. Newsom said California would retaliate against Republicans' redistricting plans, specifically calling out President Donald Trump for trying to tilt the balance of power in Congress. 

It's a plan that would slash five GOP US House seats from the Golden State, but it's also a plan that has seen criticism from the likes of former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has said he is prepared to campaign against this Democratic-led effort. 

Texas Republicans want to redraw House districts in order to strengthen the GOP hold on the chamber in 2026. 

But they haven't been able to vote on redrawing those districts because Texas Democrats have left the state, something Republicans are calling a dereliction of duty. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has even gone as far as calling for the House Democratic leader to be removed from office over the walkout. The Texas lawmakers are also facing arrest and fines over the walkout. 

What they're saying:

Six Texas lawmakers stood side-by-side with Newsom at the State Capitol on Friday. California lawmakers said they expect new maps to be redrawn as early as next week to counter Texas Republicans. 

"We are running from nothing. We see the danger that is coming and we are running straight for it," said State Rep. Ann Johnson of Texas. "We proudly stand with Californians in this moment that when faced with Texas' steal, they have met it head-on with courage and with a sense of urgency to protect the entire nation."

"An unprecedented time required an unprecedented approach and unprecedented leadership to build the kind of consensus that we believe we have," said Newsom. 

Newsom is leading the charge of blue states countering Texas by drawing their own maps to try to send more Democrats to the House in the 2026 mid-term election. 

State and congressional Democrats have received briefings about map renderings that could go before voters in a November special election. 

"This is self defense for our democracy," said Pelosi. "They have stricken. They have hit out at our democracy and we are here to defend it." 

State Senator Mike McGuire said two wrongs don't make a right. "The response that we have to be prepared for is not a wrong. It's not a wrong to stand up for the constitution of the state and for the constitution of the United States of America in the face of those who destroy it for their own power and profit."

Dig deeper:

State lawmakers have to act fast. They have an Aug. 22 deadline to approve and declare a ballot initiative for what could be a costly special election. 

When California state lawmakers return from summer break, they will have five days to get the issue approved and on the ballot. Newsom, the state legislature, and California representatives in Washington are confident they can get the measure on the ballot.  

"This has the potential to be a thermo-nuclear arms race of campaign funding centered in California. This ain't the recall of 2021 – the potential recall against Gavin Newsom. It's bigger and badder than that," said David McCuan, political science professor at Sonoma State University.  

Newsom said California will charge ahead only if Texas approves its gerrymandered maps facing pressure from President Trump. 

Gov. Abbott threatened to continue calling special sessions until lawmakers return. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued to remove the Democratic seats. 

"Not necessarily trying to handcuff ‘em but get ’em back to the state of Texas, hold ‘em in contempt and if they refuse to come, hopefully put ’em in jail," Paxton said. 

However, Newsom and the delegation of Democrats said they're not backing down. 

"We're talking about emergency measures to respond to what's happening in Texas and we will nullify what happens in Texas," said Newsom. 

"We are here because we do know that courage is contagious," said Rep. Johnson. "And we are here to give hope to others to stand up and be courageous in this moment."

What's next:

Our political reporter, Greg Lee, asked Gov. Newsom what his backup plan is if voters do not approve of the California redistricting proposal. The governor said he's confident Democrats, Republicans and Independents will help lawmakers send a message to Washington D.C. and to President Trump. 

Meanwhile, the Texas lawmakers who have fled their home state say they will stay away for as long as it takes despite threats they've received, including death threats. They are also receiving calls of support from their constituents who say they are all for the lawmakers countering what Texas Republicans are doing in the Texas state House. 

Full video: Gov. Gavin Newsom, plus California and Texas speak on re-districting

California Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke from the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento on Friday on the state's re-districting plan. He was joined by other state leaders, Democratic lawmakers from Texas.