Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said his state can go further than California when it comes to redistricting.
WASHINGTON—California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Aug. 14 called for a special election to approve a redrawn state congressional map amid a redistricting battle with Texas.
“We’re putting the maps on the ballot, and we’re giving the power to the people,” he said at an event in Los Angeles. The vote will take place on Nov. 4, he said.
The Democratic governor also called for Democrat-run states to respond to the redistricting efforts in GOP-run states.
This is a departure from California’s independent commission responsible for coming up with new congressional maps.
The National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s main campaign arm, accused Newsom of violating California’s Constitution.
“Newsom’s made it clear: He’ll shred California’s Constitution and trample over democracy—running a cynical, self-serving playbook where Californians are an afterthought and power is the only priority,” Christian Martinez, a spokesperson for the group, said in a statement.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has accused Democrats of gerrymandering in the past and said his state can go further than California when it comes to redistricting.
“Look at the map of Illinois. Look at the map of California, New York and Massachusetts, and so many other blue states they gerrymandered a long time ago. They got nothing left with regard to what they can do,” he said on CNN on Aug. 11. “And know this: If California tries to gerrymander, find more districts, listen, Texas has the ability to eliminate 10 Democrats in our state.”
Other Texas Republicans echoed Abbott’s sentiments.
“Democrats have no problem whatsoever with states redrawing their congressional maps to maximize partisan political advantage. They’re just furious that Republican states are starting to redraw their maps,” Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison told Fox News Digital.
Texas state Rep. Carl Tepper told PBS NewsHour: “These are maps that, frankly, are going to be representing our constituents and our voters better.”
