McCarthy Aims to Raise $100 Million to Combat California Redistricting Effort

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has re-emerged in California politics, spearheading a Republican campaign to oppose Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed mid-decade redistricting plan. The effort, reported by POLITICO, aims to raise a substantial $100 million to challenge the ballot measure, which seeks to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections. This move intensifies a high-stakes political battle over congressional control, mirroring similar partisan redistricting efforts nationwide.

McCarthy has reportedly informed his former congressional delegation that his objective is to amass $100 million for the opposition campaign. This significant fundraising goal underscores the financial intensity of the impending political fight. Jessica Millan Patterson, former California Republican Party chair, is expected to chair the Republican-focused campaign committee, with independent redistricting champion Charles Munger Jr. reportedly considering a contribution of up to $30 million.

Governor Newsom's plan, dubbed the "Election Rigging Response Act," is a direct counter to Republican-led redistricting efforts in states like Texas. Newsom stated, "We can’t stand back and watch this democracy disappear district by district all across the country," as he called for a November 4 special election to put the new maps before voters. The proposed maps are expected to shift up to nine Republican-held House seats, potentially adding five Democratic seats and making other battleground districts safer for Democrats.

However, public sentiment in California appears to favor the existing independent redistricting commission. A recent Politico-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab poll indicated that only 36% of state voters support returning redistricting power to the state legislature, while 64% prefer the independent commission. This commission, established by voters in 2010 through Proposition 20, is legally barred from factoring partisan politics into its mapmaking process.

The battle highlights the national implications for the 2026 midterm elections, with control of the U.S. House potentially at stake. Both Democrats and Republicans are reportedly eyeing $100 million campaigns for and against the ballot initiative. The outcome in California could significantly influence the national political landscape, as the state becomes a major battleground for gerrymandering efforts.