California Democrats, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, have unveiled a proposed congressional redistricting map that would shift five Republican-held seats to Democratic control. The move is positioned as a counteroffensive to GOP redistricting gains in Texas — but it would require bypassing the state’s independent redistricting commission.
To enact the new map, Democrats plan to put the proposal directly to voters in a special statewide election on Nov. 4. If approved, the new districts would be in place for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections.
Supporters, including Newsom, argue the harsh plan is a necessary response to mid-decade gerrymandering by Republican-led legislatures. Newsom — widely rumored to be eyeing a 2028 presidential run — framed the uncompromising proposal as a defensive measure to “meet fire with fire.”
But critics from both parties are raising alarms. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who championed the independent commission process voters approved in 2008, blasted the plan as a partisan overreach. In characteristic fashion, Schwarzenegger posted a photo in a T-shirt that read, “F— the politicians, terminate gerrymandering.”
The New York Post continues:
The social media post by Schwarzenegger comes as Democratic leaders in the Democrat- dominated California legislature are moving forward with new proposed congressional district maps that would create up to five more blue-leaning US House seats in the nation’s most populous state.
Newsom on Thursday teamed up in Los Angeles with congressional Democrats and legislative leaders in the heavily blue state to unveil their redistricting playbook.
Newsom and the Democrats are aiming to counter the ongoing effort by President Donald Trump and Republicans to create up to five GOP-friendly congressional districts in red state Texas at the expense of Democrat-controlled seats.
“Today is liberation day in the state of California,” Newsom said. “Donald Trump, you have poked the bear, and we will punch back.”
If it makes the ballot, the fight over the map itself is likely to become one of the highest-stakes political showdowns of 2025.
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A state that elects someone like Newsome deserves what it gets. Consistently voting stupid for Democrat misery has consequences
If you want to say this plan will “defy voter mandate,” why haven’t you said the Texas plan will “defy voter mandate”? At least you did state in the article that this is in response to Texas’ redistricting.
Also, you imply that Schwarzenegger only opposes this plan, but his shirt says, “Terminate gerrymandering,” which applies to all the States attempting this.
Who would expect anything less from that P.O.S.?
The state’s independent redistricting commission exists for a reason. We don’t need the party in power stacking the deck for the next election.
See CA for FT Gerrymandering effort day 1 to date thuis GOP has NO Voice
Yeah, OK JA Grewsom. What’s the cost of a special election to change the rules? I heard upwards of $200M. That’s probably less that actual. Why do you continue to flagrantly spend our taxpayer money for something that’s obviously unpopular? All I can say is, Kiss your 2028 aspirations away. Nobody in this country wants the US to turn into Cali.
CA is in the toilet; just pull the lever and flush! In spite of this, CA voters will continue their self-flagellation and vote the party regardless of their condition or prognosis for the future. At the final crash and burn, no one will be crying over the grave of a seriously f_’d-up dynasty!