Newsom’s Redistricting Plan Clears CA Assembly Amid Clash with Texas Over Maps

California’s Democratic Legislature is expected to counter Texas’ mid-decade redraw of its congressional map with one of its own. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the redistricting plan on Thursday.

California Democrats introduced a plan last week that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts.

The move comes in direct response to efforts by Texas Republicans to redraw House districts in order to strengthen the GOP hold on the chamber in 2026. Texas Republicans passed a map creating five new winnable seats for the GOP in that state’s House of Representatives on Wednesday.

California’s plan aims to increase the Democratic margin to 48 of the state’s 52 congressional seats, according to a source familiar with the plan who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. That’s up from the 43 seats the party now holds. It would need approval from legislators and voters, who may be skeptical to give it after handing redistricting power to an independent commission years ago.

In addition, the proposal would generously pad Democratic margins in districts for competitive seats anchored in Orange County, San Diego County and the Central Valley farm belt, giving Democrats a potential advantage as Texas Republicans try to sway the tissue-thin balance of the House.

However, unlike in Texas, the California seats cannot become official unless approved by the voters.