SACRAMENTO, CA – August 14, 2025 – In a bold move to defend against what he describes as partisan election manipulation, California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a strategy to “fight fire with fire” by mirroring Texas Republicans’ controversial redistricting push. The announcement, highlighted in a video clip shared on social media, aims to neutralize potential GOP gains in congressional seats by redrawing California’s districts to favor Democrats.
The plan comes as Texas Republicans, encouraged by President Donald Trump, advance efforts to gerrymander congressional maps mid-decade, potentially adding up to five Republican seats in the House ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Newsom’s response includes launching a campaign later this week, pushing legislation through the California state legislature with a two-thirds vote next week, and scheduling a special election for November 4 to implement the changes.
“We’re gonna get it in a special election on November 4th and we’re gonna fight fire with fire,” Newsom stated in the clip. “We’re gonna neutralize whatever Abbott does next week or whenever they move forward with the next special session.”
The remarks target Texas Governor Greg Abbott, whose administration is set to reconvene the legislature for another attempt at redistricting after previous sessions stalled.
Newsom has urged Trump to abandon the Texas initiative, warning that it risks escalating partisan battles over electoral maps nationwide. In a letter to the president, he described the move as “playing with fire” and emphasized the need to protect democratic processes.
Critics argue that such mid-cycle redistricting in both states could undermine fair representation, while supporters on both sides view it as necessary to balance power in a divided Congress.
The governor’s office has already hosted Texas Democratic leaders to coordinate opposition, signaling a cross-state alliance against the GOP plan.
If successful, California’s countermeasure could offset Texas’s projected gains, maintaining the current House balance.
This development underscores ongoing tensions over gerrymandering, with both parties accusing the other of attempting to “steal” elections through map manipulation. As the 2026 elections approach, experts predict legal challenges and increased scrutiny from federal courts.