California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference, accompanied by members of the Texas Democratic legislators, at the governor’s mansion in Sacramento, Aug. 8, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria/File)
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California will hold a Nov. 4 special election on proposed new congressional maps, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday, calling the move a direct response to Republican-led mid-decade redistricting efforts in Texas, ABC News reported.
Newsom said the plan, if approved by voters, would allow California to redraw maps in 2026, 2028 and 2030, which he argued could help Democrats win control of the U.S. House of Representatives. “Don’t mess with the great Golden State,” Newsom said, accusing former President Donald Trump of trying to “rig the election.”
The governor’s remarks came as federal immigration agents conducted an operation outside the venue, which Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called a “provocative act.”
BORDER PATROL HAS SHOWED UP AT OUR BIG BEAUTIFUL PRESS CONFERENCE! WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED! pic.twitter.com/Bu4gmbeY40
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 14, 2025
Republicans denounced the proposal as a partisan power grab. The measure will advance only if other states proceed with midterm redistricting, Newsom said, noting there is still an “exit ramp” if Texas and others back down.
On November 4th in California, you will have the power to stand up to @realDonaldTrump. You will have the power to stand up for people.
We’re going to give the people of this state the power to stand up for democracy. pic.twitter.com/vX9qD9V3g8
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) August 14, 2025
California Republicans Speak Out
The California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin issued a statement saying, “Governor Newsom says this is about giving power to the people but the people already have that power.”
Rankin also said: “They used it to create and expand California’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, taking politicians out of the process so no one could rig the maps for their own gain. Now, Newsom wants to take that power back, rush through secret maps, and spend hundreds of millions so he and his friends can choose their voters instead of voters choosing their representatives.” Rankin said.
Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare) also released a statement saying, “Californians demand and deserve transparency from their government. Governor Newsom’s sinister redistricting scheme is the opposite. There is no public input.”
(GV Wire contributed to this report.)
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