As the battle over partisan redistricting mounts, Democrats in California unveil a congressional map that could yield up to five new seats for their party, countering Texas‘ plan for five GOP seats.
Democrats in California’s state legislature have released a proposal for a new congressional map that could give their party up to five new seats.
It’s a major step forward for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plans and the escalating race between the two major parties as they seek to pick up additional U.S. House seats in next year’s midterm elections.
Newsom has said that he will call a Nov. 4 special election, so California voters can decide whether to adopt the new districts. That election would bypass the state’s independent redistricting commission.
Newsom argues California is redrawing its congressional map — a process typically done at the start ofin response to Republicans in Texas redrawing their own lines to grab up to five more GOP seats. President Trump urged Texas Republicans to redo the state’s districts to help the party.
„We have the opportunity to de facto end the Trump presidency in less than 18 months. That’s what’s at stake“, Newsom said during a press conference earlier this month, referring to the check a Democratic-controlled U.S. House could have on the White House.
California lawmakers plan to vote on the proposed map Thursday, Aug. 21.
Now that California Democrats have released their proposal, Texas Democrats could start heading home. They vacated the state for nearly two weeks to deny a quorum and prevent Republicans from passing new voting districts. Back in Austin, Democrats won’t have the votes to stop the newly drawn map from being adopted.Republican opposition
The Democrats‘ proposal targets five Republican representatives – Kevin Kiley, Doug LaMalfa, David Valadao, Darrell Issa and Ken Calvert – who now face bluer districts.
