California Gov. Newsom Plans Redistricting Overhaul Amid GOP Map Push

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders have announced plans to redraw the state's congressional district lines as a direct response to redistricting efforts by Republican-led states like Texas and Florida. Newsom intends to temporarily override California's independent redistricting commission to create new maps that could potentially gain five additional Democratic seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, with the new maps subject to voter approval in a special election. Democratic officials, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, framed this move as a defensive measure against what they describe as Republican attempts, led by President Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, to rig elections by manipulating district boundaries. Meanwhile, Florida Democrats have criticized similar GOP-led redistricting efforts as corrupt power grabs that disenfranchise voters and undermine democracy. Critics argue that Newsom's plan to bypass the independent commission contradicts California voters' prior mandate to prevent partisan gerrymandering. These developments highlight the intensifying partisan battles over redistricting as both parties seek to influence congressional control ahead of upcoming elections.