Texas Democrats end walkout as GOP-controlled legislature prepares to vote on redistricting maps that could flip five congressional seats to Republicans

Newsom and California Democrats proposed new congressional lines on Friday in an attempt to eliminate potential gains in Texas, where Republicans backed by Donald Trump launched a nationwide redistricting battle with nakedly partisan ambitions ahead of midterm elections in 2026.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is leaning into the redistricting fight as he looks to build his national profile ahead of a potential 2028 bid, but the move comes with political risks. Newsom formally declared his plans at a rally Thursday to call a special election for November that would allow state lawmakers to

The latest POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey found that strong majorities in both parties prefer an independent panel draw the House district lines.

The governor connected President Donald Trump’s request that Texas Republicans redraw districts to eke out another five House seats to the Jan. 6 insurrection, rollbacks on abortion rights, Trump’s dismantling of federal agencies and targeting of law firms, universities and museums, and federal deportation raids in California.

Texas Democrats are not done protesting the GOP's plan to draw a new congressional map that favors Republicans in the midterm elections.