Newsom Gives New Orders To Blue States
California Governor rallies liberal strongholds to counter Republican momentum in Texas redistricting fight
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is urging Democrat-led states to fast-track aggressive redistricting measures in a bid to blunt Republican momentum, as President Trump and GOP lawmakers look poised to pick up as many as five new House seats in Texas.
On his Tuesday This is Gavin Newsom podcast, the California Democrat told former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke it was time to stop “talking” and start “moving,” insisting that Democrats must “fight fire with fire” against Republican election strategies.
The comments come as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) pushes to arrest Democrat lawmakers who fled the state in a failed attempt to block the Legislature from voting on a new district map. By leaving, the Democrats have prevented a quorum — a move critics say is nothing more than political sabotage to undermine the will of Texas voters.
Liberal States Already Moving on Maps
In New York, state Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D) and Assemblyman Micah Lasher (D) have introduced legislation to amend the state constitution, allowing redistricting outside the traditional cycle — a move clearly designed to shore up Democrat seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
In Illinois, Democrat lawmakers are preparing a similar measure, while Newsom pledged that California will follow suit immediately. “Later this week, we’re going to announce the campaign. Next week, the Legislature’s going to move this forward,” Newsom promised.
2028 White House Ambitions Loom
The push comes as Newsom continues to be floated as a potential 2028 Democrat presidential contender, with many seeing his redistricting campaign as a political test run for higher office.
For Republicans, the fight underscores a growing belief that Democrats are willing to change the rules mid-game to try to claw back power after losing the White House and the Senate majority to President Trump and the GOP last year.
