California Democrats Propose Redistricting Plan Targeting Five GOP Seats

California Democrats, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, have proposed a mid-decade redistricting plan aimed at countering Republican efforts in Texas by potentially flipping five Republican-held congressional seats to Democrats. The proposal has sparked strong opposition from California Republicans, including Representatives Kevin Kiley and Doug LaMalfa, who criticize the move as a partisan power grab and threaten retaliatory actions in other states. Kiley and LaMalfa's districts would see significant boundary changes that could shift their political advantage, with Kiley's district expected to become more favorable to Democrats. Republican Congresswoman Young Kim also condemned the plan, describing it as Sacramento overreach and urging the governor to focus on state issues like homelessness and inflation. Democrats argue that the redistricting is a necessary response to Texas' attempt to redraw maps that would favor Republicans and stress that voters will have the final say through a special election. The contentious battle over the maps highlights the broader national struggle between parties over control of the U.S. House of Representatives, with California Democrats accusing President Trump and Texas Republicans of attempting to rig future elections.