Newsom calls GOP's push to redraw TX congressional maps an 'existential crisis to democracy'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: KGO-TV San Francisco

Friday, July 25, 2025 10:44PM


SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- Gov. Gavin Newsom is doubling down on his threat to overhaul the state's independent redistricting process, escalating a political standoff with Texas Republicans that's becoming a flashpoint in the fight for control of Congress. This week, the Texas Legislature kicked off a special session where redistricting is on the table, as Republicans reevaluate their congressional maps to help the GOP retain its slim House majority after the 2026 midterms.

After a Friday meeting with Texas lawmakers at the governor's mansion in Sacramento, Newsom told reporters the situation is a "five-alarm fire for democracy in the United States." "We are committed to this process. This is not a bluff," he said. "Everything is at stake if we're not successful next year and take back the House of Representatives."

Last week, President Donald Trump publicly called on Texas to redraw their maps, even though the state's boundaries were already updated in 2021 after the 2020 U.S. Census. In response, Newsom began floating the idea that California could abandon its independent redistricting commission.

California voters first signed off on this process through a 2008 proposition that amended the state constitution to relinquish lawmakers' control of drawing electoral maps. "We want to play the game on the terms where everybody is playing by the same set of rules. That's no longer the case," the governor said.

Read more: https://abc7news.com/post/california-governor-gavin-newsom-calls-gops-push-redraw-congressional-maps-tx-existential-crisis-democracy/17298566/

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Gov. Newsom PRESS RELEASE - Governor Newsom meets with Texas state leaders amid Republican efforts to gerrymander state to let Trump keep wielding power without restraint

REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143496406
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143501864