Several California Common Cause Advisory Board Members Resign Amid National Redistricting Battle

Several members of California Common Cause's advisory board have resigned in protest as the national organization reversed its long-held opposition to partisan gerrymandering by supporting California Governor Gavin Newsom's push to redraw congressional maps mid-cycle. This Democratic-led redistricting effort is intended to counter Republican gains from Texas, where redistricting is expected to add five House seats favoring the GOP, encouraged by President Donald Trump. The resignations stem from disagreements with the fairness criteria established by Common Cause's national board to guide the redistricting process, reflecting frustration over a lack of meaningful input from advisory board members. Common Cause President and CEO Virginia Kase Solomón acknowledged the resignations but defended the organization's stance as a necessary countermeasure against what it sees as an authoritarian strategy by Trump and Republican leaders to entrench power and undermine democratic representation. The move marks a significant shift for Common Cause, which traditionally championed independent redistricting and opposed partisan map-drawing. Newsom has stated he would halt the redistricting effort if Texas Republicans do the same, underscoring the partisan tit-for-tat nature of the current national battle over electoral maps.