Newsom-Backed Redistricting Plan Aims to Secure Five Democratic Congressional Seats

California Governor Gavin Newsom is leading an effort to temporarily override the state's independent redistricting commission, pushing a legislative package to the November ballot that aims to redraw congressional districts to favor Democrats. The move, dubbed "The Election Rigging Response Act," seeks to create five new Democratic U.S. House seats, framed as a direct counter to alleged Republican gerrymandering in Texas. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire are key proponents of the initiative.

The proposed ballot measure would allow for new congressional maps to be used through 2030, bypassing the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, which was established by voters to draw district lines non-partisanly. Governor Newsom has publicly asserted that this extraordinary measure is necessary to "neutralize" efforts by former President Donald Trump and Texas Republicans to gain an advantage in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

The initiative has drawn sharp criticism, with Republicans alleging it is a partisan power grab. Political commentator Kevin Dalton observed Governor Newsom appearing "visibly irritated" and beginning "to stammer & sway from side to side when he can’t answer a simple question about Speaker Robert Rivas and Majority leader Mike McGuire drawing themselves congressional seats amongst Newsom‘s redistricting scheme." Republican critics specifically suggest the proposed maps could benefit Speaker Rivas and Senator McGuire if they were to pursue congressional runs, with new boundaries potentially placing McGuire in a currently Republican-held district targeted for a Democratic flip.

California's independent redistricting commission, created by the Voters FIRST Act in 2008 and 2010, was designed to remove partisan influence from the map-drawing process. The current proposal represents a significant departure from this established system, prompting accusations from Republicans of subverting the will of the voters. They argue that the process should remain in the hands of the independent commission.

Despite the controversy, Speaker Rivas and Senator McGuire have voiced strong support for the governor's plan. "California Democrats will not allow Trump’s Republican Party to rig the system and take permanent control of the U.S. House of Representatives," Speaker Rivas stated, adding, "We are prepared and we will fight fire with fire." Senator McGuire echoed this sentiment, asserting, "This is not a fight California chose, but it’s a fight California can’t run from." The special election in November will ask voters to decide on this temporary change to the state's congressional map.