California Democrats Plan Redistricting to Eliminate Five GOP House Seats

California Democrats, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, are pursuing a new redistricting plan aimed at eliminating five Republican-held U.S. House seats to counteract Texas Republicans' efforts to expand their congressional majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The proposed map would increase the Democratic majority in California from 43 to 48 out of 52 seats, strengthening Democratic margins in competitive districts across Orange County, San Diego County, and the Central Valley. This plan would redraw districts currently represented by Republicans Ken Calvert, Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, David Valadao, and Doug LaMalfa, making it more difficult for them to retain their seats by boosting Democratic voter presence. The initiative requires approval from both California lawmakers and voters, potentially in a special election, and is contingent on Texas completing its redistricting process, as Newsom has stated he will not proceed if Texas halts its efforts. The move reflects broader partisan tensions over mid-decade redistricting, with California Democrats reacting to Republican-led gerrymandering attempts in Texas, highlighting the ongoing battle to control the U.S. House balance of power. Meanwhile, California continues to see a significant Republican exodus, with conservative voters relocating to more GOP-friendly states due to dissatisfaction with state policies and high living costs.