(The Center Square) – Warning of a “five-alarm fire for democracy,” Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday suggested the possibility of California redrawing its congressional districts in response to actions in Texas.
“We’re looking at different pathways. There are no maps drawn,” Newsom told reporters as he stood outside the Capitol in Sacramento with Democratic lawmakers from Texas and Democratic members of the state’s congressional delegation.
The Republican-dominated Texas Legislature is holding redistricting hearings in response to Republican President Donald Trump’s call for new congressional districts. Trump, who discussed the matter with Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, told reporters the GOP could gain five more seats in the U.S. House.
Republicans currently have a narrow majority in the House with 219 seats. Democrats could take control by flipping a few seats. Republicans also face the historic pattern of the party in control of the White House losing control of one chamber of Congress during the first midterm.
In determining the number of congressional seats, all states should play by the same rules, Newsom, a Democrat, said.
“That’s no longer the case, not with Donald Trump, not when he makes a call to the governor of Texas and talks about finding five additional seats so he can hold the line and control the majority of the House of Representatives,” Newsom said.
“The people of California realize what’s at stake if we don’t put a stake into the heart of this administration,” Newsom said. “There may not be an election in 2028.”
In a post on X, Newsom warned of Trump trying to redistrict the GOP to victory in 2026.
Opponents of the administration’s policies can’t afford not to act, Newsom said at the news conference. “We have to fight fire with fire.”
Later at the outdoor press conference, as a fire engine coincidentally rushed by with its siren blaring, the governor added, “It’s a five-alarm fire for democracy.”
Texans are experiencing an assault on their democracy, Newsom said.
If Texas redraws congressional district lines, California has the option of bringing a ballot measure to ask voters to do likewise, Newsom said, but added various pathways are being considered. What might go on the ballot hasn’t been determined, he said.
“This is a fluid conversation that came in reaction to the phone call from Donald Trump to Greg Abbott,” Newsom said.
The governor also criticized the administration for what he called illegal tariffs, threats of conditioning disaster aid on the basis of politics and what he called the “warrantless raids” across California by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Before Newsom spoke, Texas state Rep. Rafael Anchia accused Trump of trying to dismantle congressional districts that historically consists of African-American and Latino communities.
“It will create great harm, not only to Texas, but all Americans,” Anchia said.
Before Newsom’s press conference, state Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, said states shouldn’t consider redistricting at any point other than the traditional 10 years between censuses.
“I think it’s a long, slippery slope for a state to do it,” Strickland told The Center Square Friday. He noted it should only be done when there’s a voting rights issue.
“What will happen is every two years, you’re going to have a power grab from all the states within the union, and I don’t think that’s good for democracy,” Strickland said.
When asked if a redistricting attempt in Texas would amount to gerrymandering, Strickland said, “I think gerrymandering happens all the time. The difference between Texas and California is Texas doesn’t have an independent citizens’ commission.”
Since 2010 in California, redistricting has been handled by an independent commission.
“By the way, I think our lines are gerrymandered,” Strickland said. “Republicans get 40 to 42% of the vote, yet we have 20% of legislative seats.
“I think he (Newsom) will have egg on his face” if California is redistricted, Strickland said. He predicted that if Newsom got California four more seats in Congress, those seats would be held by Republicans.
While noting Texas and California shouldn’t do redistricting, Strickland was critical of Newsom for focusing on national issues instead of matters related to the state.
Strickland said he believes Newsom’s attention is on running for president in 2028. The governor hasn’t announced his candidacy, but is widely believed to be eyeing the White House.
“He’s not addressing the issues that the people of California expect us to address: gas prices, affordability,” Strickland said. “Our crime is on the rise.”
