House Democrats dreaming of retaking the chamber’s majority during the midterms may have found an ally in Democratic California Gavin Newsom.
Newsom, a top foe of President Donald Trump with rumored 2028 ambitions, is considering various strategies to eliminate five to seven GOP-held seats by pursuing mid-decade redistricting, Punchbowl News first reported. The ambitious redistricting threat that could pad House Democrats’ majority in the Golden State comes as Texas is mulling a plan of its own to redraw districts this cycle to boost Republicans.
“Trump said he’s going to steal 5 Congressional seats in Texas and gerrymander his way into a 2026 win,” Newsom wrote in a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday, referring to a pitch the president reportedly made to Lone Star State Republicans that day. “Well, two can play that game.”
“We want our gavels back,” California Democratic Rep. Mark Takano — who would be next in line to serve as chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee if House Democrats retake control of the lower chamber —told Punchbowl News. “That’s what this is about.”
The looming redistricting showdown between California and Texas could be instrumental in determining which party wins a House majority in 2026. House Republicans currently wield a 220-212 majority with three vacancies in Democratic-held seats.
The president is involved in several efforts to ensure Republicans maintain their majority in the lower chamber during the midterms, Axios first reported. Maintaining Republican control of the House would thwart Democrats from seeking to derail the president’s agenda and avert a potential impeachment attempt.
Newsom’s plans could face its share of challenges given an independent commission in the Golden State has maintained authority over redistricting since 2011. Congressional Democrats, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, fiercely opposed stripping the Democratic-controlled state legislature of its power to control the drawing of congressional maps.
However, California Democrats are signaling that they will explore various options to circumvent or overhaul the independent commission if Texas Republicans follow through on squeezing Democratic members out of Congress.
“Special sessions. Special elections. Ballot initiatives. New laws,” Newsom wrote in his X post. “It’s all on the table when democracy is on the line.”
California House Democrats, especially those in safe seats, have said they will back Newsom’s redistricting push if the California governor moves ahead with redrawing the state’s congressional maps.
“We’re obviously very sensitive to what’s happening in Texas and the continued consolidation of power that House Republicans are looking at,” House Democratic Conference chair Pete Aguilar of California told Punchbowl News. “Our belief is we need to have every option available to us.”
We’re ready,” Democratic California Rep. Sara Jacobs also said. “If Texas goes, we are going.”
The California House Republicans whose districts could be redrawn to create a majority-Democrat seats include a majority of the delegation. Just nine members of California’s 52 representatives in the lower chamber are Republicans.
A spokesperson for Newsom did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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