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California will proceed with a measure to redraw its congressional map in response to a Republican-backed plan to do the same in Texas, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference with other Democrat politicians, Newsom said they will hold a special election in November that could potentially add five more US House seats.
“We are talking about emergency measures to respond to what’s happening in Texas, and we will nullify what happens in Texas,” Newsom told reporters.
“We will pick up five seats with the consent of the people, and that’s the difference between the approach we’re taking and the approach they’re taking. We’re doing it [on a] temporary basis.”
Newsom said the redistricting process would be independent, and that a new map would be ready for scrutiny next week.
Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lent her support to Newsom’s plan and also praised Texas Democrats for resisting the redistricting plan there.
“It’s not wrong in what we’re doing. This is self-defense for our democracy,” Pelosi said.
“I thank again our Texans for their leadership, for their courage, and most of all, for their patriotism.”
Texas Republicans have presented a new districting map for the state, with the aim of flipping five Democratic seats in the 2026 midterms.
The plan prompted more than 50 Democrat state politicians to leave the state and break quorum, in an effort to prevent the plan from proceeding.
In response, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court seeking a declaration that the seats of over a dozen Democrat lawmakers had been unlawfully vacated.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas Department of Public Safety, along with the FBI, is currently tracking down Democratic lawmakers who left the state, so they can be returned the Texas Capitol.
“Those who received benefits for skipping a vote face removal from office and potential bribery charges. In Texas, there are consequences for your actions,” he stated on X.
Abbott is also seeking the remove of state Rep. Gene Wu, who leads the Texas House Democratic Caucus, after accusing him of leading the walkout.
