Gavin Newsom made it official. California Democrats are launching a special legislative session to rig the state’s congressional maps. On Thursday, Newsom staged a taxpayer-funded rally in Los Angeles to roll out a proposed constitutional amendment with a glossy name: The Election Rigging Response Act.
He’s selling it as a noble stand against Donald Trump. In reality, it’s about one thing: wiping Republican voters off California’s congressional maps.
California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin said it best — and she didn’t hold back:
Statement on Gavin Newsom’s press conference today from our chairwoman, @CorrinRankin:
“Governor Newsom says this is about giving power to the people but the people already have that power. They used it to create and expand California’s independent Citizens Redistricting…
— California Republican Party (@CAGOP) August 14, 2025
She’s right. This is a raw, calculated power grab dressed up as an “emergency” fix.
Democrats claim it’s retaliation for GOP gerrymandering in Texas — but the irony is brutal: Their answer is to gerrymander California. It’s the political equivalent of saying: They cheat, so now we cheat.
The Poll Newsom Can’t Spin
The latest POLITICO–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab poll asked two questions:
1️⃣ Do you support keeping the independent redistricting commission?
2️⃣ Do you support returning congressional redistricting authority to state legislators?
Only 36 percent of voters support giving the legislature — and therefore Newsom — control over congressional redistricting.
In response to the poll, Newsom’s press office tweeted:
You mean the poll that tested what we are NOT doing (getting rid of the commission!)??
Do not be fooled by so called “experts” who don’t even ask the right questions!
There is STRONG support! https://t.co/0BVUve99OQ
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 14, 2025
This is a dodge.
The poll wasn’t about abolishing the commission entirely — it asked about exactly what Newsom wants to do: give politicians back the congressional map-drawing power.
And 64 percent of the voters said a decisive NO.
READ MORE: Gavin Newsom Gets Terrible News About His Plan to Redistrict, After His Very Public Meltdown
Gavin Newsom Threatens to Redraw CA’s Congressional Districts Before Midterms; Here’s Why He Can’t
The Gerrymander Smoking Gun
POLITICO’s leaked chart from California Democrats’ own submission reveals exactly which districts would flip under their so-called “emergency” maps:
Leaked chart reveals winners and losers in California’s Democratic gerrymander https://t.co/rnnoK7yXj7
— POLITICO (@politico) August 14, 2025
The plan targets key GOP-held districts:
Right now, Republicans hold 9 of California’s 52 congressional seats — just 17.3 percent of the delegation — despite having 25.22 percent of registered voters. Those 9 seats represent over 1.7 million Republican voters.
Under Newsom’s proposed maps, that would drop to just four seats — a measly 7.68 percent. That’s not democracy — that’s mass disenfranchisement.
And it’s not just Republicans calling foul:
As a CA Democrat – I have to agree. It’s better to respect CA voter’s decision to have Independent Redistricting Commison to stop partisan gerrymandering! If it ever makes it to a special election I’ll be voting against that measure
— Gerardo Hernandez (@GerardoHLA) August 13, 2025
Even some Democrats see this for what it is — a cynical power grab that tramples the will of the voters and undermines fair representation.
The Temporary Scam
Democrats claim the new maps will “expire” in 2030 after the next census, when the independent commission will return. But that’s the oldest trick in politics: make a change “just for now,” win the elections you need, then make it permanent.
California has been under one-party rule for 15 years — how’s that working out?
As California Assemblyman Carl DeMaio often says: California Democrats are the party of corruption, crime, and grime.
Once you eliminate competitive Republican districts, Democrats lock in near-total control of the congressional delegation.
This isn’t about a “six-year fix.” It’s about permanent dominance.
Even if you dislike Republicans, ask yourself: Is it healthy to erase every California GOP voice in Washington? Democracy thrives on diversity of thought — and this plan silences millions of voters.
The Bigger Picture
In my earlier RedState article, Rebuild It Right: A Plan to Crush the Democrats’ Latest Power Grab Before They Steal California Forever, I laid out the playbook to stop this scheme:
- Mobilize Grassroots Support — Activate every conservative group in the state now: GOP county committees, Republican Women Federated, Young Republicans, and everyone.
- Push Election Integrity Measures — Join forces with Assemblyman Carl DeMaio’s 2026 ballot initiative for voter ID, proof of citizenship, and secure voting.
- Own the Messaging — Hammer home the hypocrisy: “Democracy or Monopoly?” and “Power to the People, Not the Politicians.”
The clock is ticking. We can’t fight fire with apathy. Every Californian who values fair elections must unite to beat this at the ballot box.
November 4th isn’t just about district lines — it’s about whether California stays a place where voters choose their leaders, or whether leaders choose their voters.
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